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The Hollywood News : ‘American Fighter’ Review: Dir. Shaun Paul Piccinino (2019) [Fantasia]

The Hollywood News : ‘American Fighter’ Review: Dir. Shaun Paul Piccinino (2019) [Fantasia]

August 2, 2019
American Fighter

A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.

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Fantasia Review: Shaun Piccinino’s AMERICAN FIGHTER Flies A Flag Of No Holds-Barred Underdog Heroism

Fantasia Review: Shaun Piccinino’s AMERICAN FIGHTER Flies A Flag Of No Holds-Barred Underdog Heroism

July 29, 2019

Following their exploits with Alex Ranarivelo’s American Wrestler: The Wizard, producer Ali Afshar and actor George Kosturos brace for more fictional territory under the stewardship of filmmaker Shaun Piccinino. Their latest effort, American Fighter, returns Afshar’s on-screen persona, Ali Jahani, back on camera for a more martial arts-tinged, revved up sequel that welcomes Tom Flanagan into the fray, and actor and BJJ blackbelt, Sean Patrick Flannery.

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Fantasia 2019: AMERICAN FIGHTER is a Fresh Take on a Familiar Story

Fantasia 2019: AMERICAN FIGHTER is a Fresh Take on a Familiar Story

July 28, 2019
American Fighter

Part coming-of-age drama, part martial arts actioner, American Fighter is the follow up to producer Ali Afshar’s biopic American Wrestler: The Wizard, only this time he takes his alter ego — Ali Jahani — outside of his real world story and into the world of illegal underground MMA streetfighting. Making its world premiere at this year’s Fantasia Fest, it’s chock full of the tropes that you’d expect in a film about a young man thrust into fighting for money, but sometimes that’s exactly what a film of this type should do.

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Trace Adkins on why his ‘Bennett’s War’ role spoke to him

Trace Adkins on why his ‘Bennett’s War’ role spoke to him

July 26, 2019
Bennett's War
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Founder and CEO of Forrest Films, Ali Afshar, discusses his vision for the future of filmmaking

Founder and CEO of Forrest Films, Ali Afshar, discusses his vision for the future of filmmaking

July 19, 2019

Ali Afshar wears many titles. He’s the founder, CEO, and (although, is quite humble about it) a studio mogul, who heads up Forrest Films. Afshar began his career path as a record-setting professional race car driver, who turned actor and then turned movie producer. Today, he continues to dabble in each of his passions.

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Mixed Martial Arts Pic 'Mickey Kelley' To Star Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, Dennis Quaid & MMA Fighters Renzo Grazie, Edson Barboza & Mickey Gall

Mixed Martial Arts Pic 'Mickey Kelley' To Star Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, Dennis Quaid & MMA Fighters Renzo Grazie, Edson Barboza & Mickey Gall

July 16, 2019

Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned MMA tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.

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Lucas Oil's Forrest Lucas is making 'American dream' movies with Ludacris, Trace Adkins

Lucas Oil's Forrest Lucas is making 'American dream' movies with Ludacris, Trace Adkins

May 8, 2019

Indiana entrepreneur Forrest Lucas plans to elevate his profile in the film industry this year, starting with the release of military-and-motocross movie "Bennett’s War."

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Arclight adds 'Lady Driver' to Cannes sales slate

Arclight adds 'Lady Driver' to Cannes sales slate

May 2, 2019

Arclight Films has added the female-led racing film Lady Driver starring Grace Van Dien to its sales slate heading into Cannes.

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