Kung Fu Western | Proof of Concept

STATUS: PROOF OF CONCEPT COMPLETED, FEATURE WRITTEN

Kung Fu meets Western. This cross-genre action packed film is set in the Australian outback in the midst of the gold rush.

This proof of concept follows a Traveller who enters an isolated bar desperately in need of water but is turned away. He stumbles upon a familiar face… an English convict from rioters that murdered his father. A brawl breaks out with guns, knives and vomit. The Traveller fights his way through to the owner, squeezing out a name and a location that will set him on a path for vengeance…

Kung Fu Western was made with the involvement of over 80 QUEENSLAND CREATIVES and technicians; some of the best working professionals in the state.

R A I S E D

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Directors Kai and Tin successfully raised $14,926 of their ambitious $70k through the Australian Cultural Fund. The remaining expenses were self-funded.

DIRECTORS

WRITER, DIRECTOR: KAILANI D'AMOUR • DIRECTOR, PERFORMER: TIN HUYEN PHAM

Through connecting and supporting local artists, award winning Directors Kai and Tin strive to create opportunities that promote and inspire artists and technicians alike. Similar to “Erzi”, Kai and Tin endeavour to authentically represent the Asian and immigrant experience, this time in the historical setting of the Australian Gold Rush.

In this project, they aim to push the boundaries of Australian-made independent films. They intend to inject larger-than-life characters from Anime, fast paced action from Hong Kong cinema and classic filmmaking styles from Spaghetti Westerns. Journey to the West will be a genre-defining film that showcases Kai and Tin’s foray into action cinema and hyper-stylised filmmaking.

Kung Fu Western is the first scene of a full-length feature written by Kailani D’Amour. After completing their festival circuit, the filmmakers hope to garner interest and support around the feature, using the proof-of-concept as a stepping stone.

KEY CREATIVES

STUNTS
STUNT COORDINATOR: Daniel Weaver (Fast X, Mortal Kombat, Uncharted)
FIGHT COORDINATOR: Aaron Dexter (The Fall Guy, Mortal Kombat 2, Furiosa)
STUNT PERFORMERS: Dylan Wilson, Casey Wright, James Web, Joel Menagé (Hacksaw Ridge, Pirates of the Carribean, Mortal Kombat 2)

PRODUCTION DESIGN
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Matt Stitt (Rock Island Mysteries, Nautilus, Deadlock)
ART DIRECTORS: William Charleson (Nautilus, Boy Swallows Universe), Annabelle Norman
PROP MASTER: Tiarna Parente (Love is in the Air, Rock Island Mysteries)

HAIR & MAKE UP
HAIR & MAKE UP DESIGNER: Chelsea Brown (Elvis, Thirteen Lives, Spiderhead)
LEAD MAKE UP ARTIST: Mellissa Johnston (Kong: Skull Island, Young Rock, Boy Swallows Universe)

COSTUME
COSTUME DESIGNER: Alexis Weiser (Troppo, The Bluff, Anaconda)
COSTUME STANDBY: Aho Chase (Nautilus, Voltron, Mortal Kombat II)

CAMERA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Caleb Ware
CAMERA OPERATORS: Esteban Rivera, Beau Selwood, Nathan Frost (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, San Andreas, Aquaman)
CAMERA EQUIPMENT: Lemac

GAFFER: Mick O’Brien (Thor Ragnarok, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader)
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT: Monkey Business Films, Conway Film Lighting

PRESS

ABC RADIO • DECEMBER, 2024

Writer/Director Kai and Director/Performer Tin had a conversation with Cathie Schnitzerling live on ABC Radio. They discussed the proof of concept including the Manchurian queue hairstyle, representation, the technical crew, independent filmmaking and the story of how the crew surprised the pair with a pro bono pickup shoot.

THE PROJECT • FEBRUARY, 2025

Kai and Tin were featured on Channel 10’s “The Project” on National Television as they dove into post-production to showcase Logan QLD and put a spotlight on the two filmmakers and their unique friendship. They discuss independent filmmaking, authentic representation and their families’ involvement in the project.

“When two young filmmakers had an incredible idea, they did everything they could to make it happen. Now, with a mostly volunteer crew, a Kung Fu Western movie short has been shot, but they need help to make it into the feature film it deserves to be.” – The Project

See more on the making of @ kungfuwestern.com