The latest in this pulpy fighting franchise has Chechen refugee Anya punching the patriarchy, refreshingly unencumbered by a love interest
Here is a brutally violent but oddly empowering tale of trafficked women compelled to kick the hell out of each other or else get sent to an Albanian brothel. It is part of a pulpy, under-the-radar film franchise series that revolves around illegal, or semi-legal, fight clubs and mixed martial arts (Mma) bouts that usually pit men against their friends and fellow athletes. Their Usp is hardcore hand-to-hand combat, with lots of crunchy foley work providing the sounds of pounded flesh, while still celebrating athletic prowess, loyalty to friends and family and a kind of gladiatorial honour.
This latest instalment serves up more of the same, but with women doing most of the punching, stabbing and roundhouse kicks to the head; there are also two women in the screenwriter and director’s chairs,...
Here is a brutally violent but oddly empowering tale of trafficked women compelled to kick the hell out of each other or else get sent to an Albanian brothel. It is part of a pulpy, under-the-radar film franchise series that revolves around illegal, or semi-legal, fight clubs and mixed martial arts (Mma) bouts that usually pit men against their friends and fellow athletes. Their Usp is hardcore hand-to-hand combat, with lots of crunchy foley work providing the sounds of pounded flesh, while still celebrating athletic prowess, loyalty to friends and family and a kind of gladiatorial honour.
This latest instalment serves up more of the same, but with women doing most of the punching, stabbing and roundhouse kicks to the head; there are also two women in the screenwriter and director’s chairs,...
- 2/16/2022
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Stars: Olivia Popica, Tommy Bastow, Brooke Johnston, Michael Bisping, Nitu Chandra Srivasttava, Diana Hoyos, James Faulkner, Hannah Al Rashid, Vanesaa Campos, Raffaello Degruttola, Nicole Sousa, Cameron Jack, Christopher Sciueref, Antonio Bustorff, Andrew Hollingworth, Brian Jansen, Edward Linard | Written by Audrey Arkins | Directed by Kellie Madison
Where did this come from? Some five years after the last entry in the franchise and Thirteen years since the original, here comes Never Back Down: Revolt, a female take on the underground fight story that sees Anya (Olivia Popica), the sister of Mma fighter Aslan (Tommy Bastow), who is forced to compete in elite underground fights after Aslan refuses to throw a his latest illegal fight for promoter Julian (James Faulkner). Now working to pay off the debt Aslan owes for Not losing, Anya takes a trip to Rome to partake in a special fighting event (that she’s promised will clear her brothers...
Where did this come from? Some five years after the last entry in the franchise and Thirteen years since the original, here comes Never Back Down: Revolt, a female take on the underground fight story that sees Anya (Olivia Popica), the sister of Mma fighter Aslan (Tommy Bastow), who is forced to compete in elite underground fights after Aslan refuses to throw a his latest illegal fight for promoter Julian (James Faulkner). Now working to pay off the debt Aslan owes for Not losing, Anya takes a trip to Rome to partake in a special fighting event (that she’s promised will clear her brothers...
- 11/8/2021
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Exclusive: Kellie Madison will direct the fourthquel Never Back Down: Revolt from a script by Audrey Arkins (Elyse) for Mandalay Pictures, Wonder Street and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. Production is set to start November 23 in and around London.
Never Back Down: Revolt centers on a woman who is kidnapped and forced to compete in elite underground fights and has to battle her way out to freedom. Michael Bisping (Den of Thieves) and Brooke Johnston (Hurricane Heist) star as the antagonists who run the fight trafficking ring. Diana Hoyos (2020 Best Actress winner in Colombia for Enfermeras), Neetu Chandra and James Faulkner round out the supporting cast.
The fourth installment will be produced by Craig Baumgarten of Wonder Street and David Zelon of Mandalay Pictures.
The first Never Back Down released in 2008 starred Amber Heard,...
Never Back Down: Revolt centers on a woman who is kidnapped and forced to compete in elite underground fights and has to battle her way out to freedom. Michael Bisping (Den of Thieves) and Brooke Johnston (Hurricane Heist) star as the antagonists who run the fight trafficking ring. Diana Hoyos (2020 Best Actress winner in Colombia for Enfermeras), Neetu Chandra and James Faulkner round out the supporting cast.
The fourth installment will be produced by Craig Baumgarten of Wonder Street and David Zelon of Mandalay Pictures.
The first Never Back Down released in 2008 starred Amber Heard,...
- 11/11/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
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