Wikipedia

Albert Pyun

Albert Pyun(May 19, 1953 – November 26, 2022) was an American film director who made low-budgetB-moviesanddirect-to-videoaction films.

Albert Pyun
Born(1953-05-19)May 19, 1953
Territory of Hawaii,U.S.
DiedNovember 26, 2022(2022-11-26)(aged 69)
Las Vegas,Nevada,U.S.
OccupationFilm director
Years active1970–2018

TheIndependent Film Channelsaid that Pyun "has carved out a unique niche as a director of low-budget, high-concept genre films starring actors past their prime", adding that "others believe this a charitable description for Pyun, who has also been derided as the newEd Wood."[1]

Though his films frequently blendedkickbo xingandhybrid martial artswithscience fictionanddystopicorpost-apocalypticthemes, which often includecyborgs,Pyun stated in a 2012 interview that "I have really no interest in cyborgs. And I've never really had any interest in post-apocalyptic stories or settings. It just seemed that those situations presented a way for me to make movies with very little money, and to explore ideas that I really wanted to explore — even if they were [controversial]."[2]

Pyun's films includeThe Sword and the Sorcerer,Cyborg,Captain America,andNemesis.[2]

Early life

Pyun was born on May 19, 1953.[3] Pyun was a "military brat"and lived on bases around the world until his father settled in Hawaii. He went to school inKailua,a small town located on the windward side ofOahu.Pyun's first 8mm and 16mm movies were made in Kailua and he credits living in foreign countries and growing up in Hawaii as strong influences on his filmmaking style.[4]While in high school, Pyun worked at a number of production houses in Honolulu before receiving an invitation by the Japanese actor,Toshiro Mifune,to travel to Japan for an internship.[5][6]Initially Pyun was to intern on theAkira Kurosawafilm,Dersu Uzala,which was to star Mifune.[7]but the actor decided not to do the film and instead Pyun found himself working on a Mifune TV series under the tutelage of Kurosawa's Director of Photography,Takao Saito(Red Beard).[8]

Pyun returned to Hawaii and began working as a commercial film editor at KGMB in Honolulu and edited commercials for agencies such as Bozell Jacobs and Leo Burnett. After several years as an editor, Pyun moved to Los Angeles to become a feature film director.[9]

1980s

Pyun's first filmThe Sword and the Sorcererremains his highest grossing, eventually earning $36,714,025 in the United States.[10]Opening on April 30, 1982, it grossed $4,100,886 which ranked the film second that week in America.[11]Richard Lynchreceived the Best Supporting ActorSaturn Awardfor his performance as Cromwell.[12]During the production of the film, stuntman Jack Tyree was killed while doing a high fall stunt atGriffith Parkin Los Angeles. While performing a 78-foot fall in heavy costume and makeup, Tyree struck his airbag off center, resulting in a fatal impact.[13]

With the success ofThe Sword and the Sorcerer,Pyun was attached to several science fiction projects in 1984 includingTotal Recall,to be produced byDino De LaurentiisatUniversal Pictures,with a screenplay based on thePhilip K. Dickstory written byRonald Shusett(Alien). At the time,William Hurtwas attached to star.[14]

His second film,Radioactive Dreams,was awarded the Golden Raven at the 5thBrussels International Fantastic Film Festivalin 1987.[15]"Radioactive Dreams" recently screened atExhumed Films' 2013 eX Fest.[16]

Pyun's career took a more mainstream turn with the thrillerDangerously Close[17]and the romantic adventure filmDown Twisted,starringCarey Lowell,Charles RocketandCourteney Cox.[18]

In the late 1980s, Pyun madeAlien from L.A.,featuring supermodelKathy Irelandwhom he cast after seeing a photo of her without doing a screen test. Ireland then tookacting lessons.[19]The film later appeared on an episode ofMystery Science Theater 3000.[20]

Pyun'sCyborgopened as the fourth-highest-grossing film in America on April 7, 1989.[21]It eventually grossed $10,166,459 in the United States.[21]In 2011, twenty-two years after makingCyborg,Pyun released his director's cut. AMetro-Goldwyn-Mayerre-release on Blu-ray followed in October 2012.

In 1989, Pyun madeDeceitandCaptain America.A director's cut ofCaptain Americawas released in May 2011.[22]

1990s

In the early 1990s, Pyun madeNemesiswithOlivier GrunerandThomas Jane;[23]Brainsmasher... A Love Storyfollowed in 1993 withTeri HatcherandAndrew Dice Clay;andMean GunswithChristopher LambertandIce-Tin 1997.

In June 1991, Pyun's filmKickboxer 2,written byDavid Goyer(Ghost Rider,Blade,The Dark Knight), opened in theaters to mixed reviews.[24]

Other 1990s films includeKnightswithKris Kristofferson,Kathy LongandLance Henriksen;Dollmanstarring Tim Thomerson as a 13-inch-tallDirty Harry-type cop from another planet;Raven HawkwithRachel McLishandWilliam Atherton;Spitfirewith Henriksen,Sarah Douglas,Tim ThomersonandKristie Phillips;Hong Kong '97withRobert PatrickandMing-Na Wen;Adrenalin: Fear the Rushwith Christopher Lambert and Natasha Henstridge;Post MortemwithCharlie Sheen;Crazy SixwithRob Lowe,Mario Van PeeblesandBurt Reynolds;Omega DoomwithRutger HauerandShannon Whirry;andArcadewithMegan Ward,Seth Green,Peter Billingsly andJohn Delancie.Pyun also made his only episodic TV work to date for theNBC/Columbia Tri-StarshowThe Fifth CornerwithAlex McArthur,Kim DelaneyandJames Coburn.

2000s

Pyun directed and producedTickerfor Artisan Entertainment in May 2000, which featuredSteven Seagal,Tom Sizemore,Dennis Hopper,Jaime Pressly,Nasand Ice-T plus Chilli of the R&B groupTLC.In 2002, it was among five films honored for sales by the Video Software Dealers Association in the category of 'Direct-to-Video/Limited Release by an Independent Studio'.[25]

In 2004, Pyun went to the U.S. territory ofGuamand, along with film producer John Laing, convinced the Guam government to put up an $800,000 loan guarantee to finance their filmMax Havoc: Curse of the Dragon.[26]In his effort to convince Guam officials to approve the loan guarantee, Pyun told them that he and his producer (Laing) had a "sterling financial record" and that neither he nor John Laing had ever defaulted on a loan.[26]In 2006, Laing defaulted on the loan, and Guam lost its guarantee. Laing blamed Pyun for the failure of the film.[27][28]

An out of court settlement was reached between John Laing and the Guam Economic Development Authority in May 2012 but up until October 2012 Laing has not honored the terms of that settlement.[29]In late 2012, GEDA Administrator Karl Pangelinan reported Laing had made a $75,000 payment on the balance of the settlement amount and the balance outstanding was $75,000.[30]GEDA officials confirmed the final payment was made in February 2013 bringing the matter to a close.[31]Pyun was not involved in any of the legal litigation between GEDA and Laing.

In September 2008, Pyun began production onTales of an Ancient Empire.[32]Shooting began on October 12, 2008. The film premiered atLouisville, Kentucky'sFright Night Film Fest.[33]The film was eventually released by Lions Gate Films in January 2012 and starsKevin Sorbo,Michael Paré,Melissa OrdwayandRalf Moeller.

2010s and 2020s

Pyun's filmRoad to Hellwon the Best Picture award at the Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival inBelfastin 2011.[34]Later in 2012, it opened thePollyGrind Film Festivalin Las Vegas where it won Best Fantasy Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Song, Best Use of Songs, Best Use of Music, Best Visual Effects, Best Screenplay, and the Newcomer Award.[35]

Illness and death

In late 2013, Pyun announced he hadmultiple sclerosis.[36]In March 2014, his health had improved enough for him to filmThe Interrogation of Cheryl Cooper.[37]By 2017, he also haddementia.However, he sought funding for projects as late as 2018.[38][39]

In November 2022, Pyun's wife andproducerCynthia Curnan[40]posted on herFacebookpage that Pyun's health was in rapid decline and that he had been placed inhospicecare. Curnan stated that Pyun wanted to hear from his supporters and asked if people would write him messages that she could read to him. Her request was amplified by the Facebook page for film directorSam Peckinpahand on film review websites such asJoBloandComicBook.Curnan reported to fans a week later that Pyun was "enjoying messages from supporters" and that they helped to "alleviate guilt Pyun has been feeling because he was unable to complete two films before he had to stop working."[41][42]

Pyun died in Las Vegas on November 26, 2022, at the age of 69.[43]

Awards

  • 2005 – Golden Unicorn Award for lifetime achievement at the Estepona International Film Festival of Fantasy and Horror.[44]
  • 2011 – Induction into the B-movie Hall of Fame at the B-Movie Celebration.[45]
  • 2012 – Lifetime Achievement-Filmmaker of a Different Breed Award at the PollyGrind Film Festival.
  • 2013 – Groundbreaker Award – BUT FILM FESTIVAL (Breda, Netherlands)[46]
  • 2013 – Indie Genre Spirit Award – Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival[47]

Filmography

Films

References

  1. ^Saito, Stephen (June 22, 2010)."Albert Pyun's 'Tales' Stand Tall".IFC.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedMay 26,2013.
  2. ^abAnders, Charlie Jane (December 6, 2012)."Incredibly Strange and Ridiculously Cheap: Albert Pyun's 30-Year Career in B-Movies".io9.Archivedfrom the original on February 26, 2014.RetrievedMay 22,2013.
  3. ^"Albert Pyun exclusive Interview".Budomate Magazine.January 17, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2021.RetrievedMarch 11,2021.
  4. ^Freitas, Marco (August 8, 2011)."Interview with Albert Pyun".Cult Reviews.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2011.RetrievedMay 22,2013.
  5. ^Loreti, Nicanor (July 2005)."Charlamos con Albert Pyun: un cineasta unico"[Chatting with Albert Pyun: a unique filmmaker].La Cosa Cine Fantástico(113):36–39.ISSN0329-5311.Archived fromthe originalon June 5, 2007.
  6. ^Loreti, Nicanor."Filmmaker Interview: Albert Pyun".Archived fromthe originalon June 22, 2013.
  7. ^"Bulletface and director Albert Pyun – A Badass Interview".Mediasaurs.February 9, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2016.RetrievedMay 22,2013.
  8. ^"Cult People photobook".Headpress.Archivedfrom the original on August 11, 2013.RetrievedMay 22,2013.
  9. ^"Interview With Albert Pyun".Cool Ass Cinema.October 25, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on March 22, 2016.RetrievedMay 22,2013.
  10. ^"Sword & Sorcerer – Box Office History".The Numbers.Nash Information Services.Archivedfrom the original on October 26, 2012.RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
  11. ^Sword and the SorcereratBox Office Mojo
  12. ^"Past Saturn Awards".Saturn Awards.Archived fromthe originalon May 11, 2008.RetrievedAugust 30,2010.
  13. ^"Stuntman dies doing dive".The Calgary Herald.August 27, 1981. p. B-15.Movie stuntman Jack Tyree was killed in the filming of the scene on August 25, 1981, falling 180 feet and missing a large airbag by two feet.
  14. ^"Incredibly Strange and Ridiculously Cheap: Albert Pyun's 30-Year Career in B-Movies".G/O Media. December 6, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on August 20, 2019.RetrievedAugust 20,2019.
  15. ^"Les Primés du BIFFF"[The BIFFF Prizes] (in French). Cinemafantastique.net. Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2012.RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
  16. ^O'Donnell, Liam (May 8, 2013)."Ex-Fest III: Revenge, Gore, Insanity, the End of the World, and a Lot of Fun!".Cinapse.Archivedfrom the original on July 30, 2013.RetrievedMay 23,2013.
  17. ^Goldstein, Patrick (May 9, 1986)."Movie Review: Young Vigilantes In 'Dangerously Close'".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2012.RetrievedJuly 9,2011.
  18. ^"AFI|Catalog".catalog.afi.Archivedfrom the original on December 3, 2022.RetrievedDecember 3,2022.
  19. ^"California actress balances careers".Tyler Morning Telegraph.United Press International.February 5, 1988.Archivedfrom the original on November 27, 2022.RetrievedNovember 27,2022.
  20. ^"Mystery Science Theater ends today".Associated Press. May 18, 1996.Archivedfrom the original on November 27, 2022.RetrievedNovember 27,2022.
  21. ^abCyborg (1989)atBox Office Mojo
  22. ^Bell, Josh (June 29, 2011)."Chatting with original 'Captain America' Director Albert Pyun".Las Vegas Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2012.
  23. ^NemesisatBox Office Mojo
  24. ^Valentin, Albert (September 1, 2009)."REVIEW: Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1990)".Kung Fu Cinema.Archived fromthe originalon September 4, 2009.
  25. ^"Video Software Dealers Association - VSDA - Announces Its 2002 Home Entertainment Award Winners".Mi2N.July 19, 2002.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2011.RetrievedApril 29,2011.
  26. ^abTaitano, Zita Y. (December 29, 2009)."Local court to hear 'Max Havoc' case".Marianas Variety.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2011.RetrievedJuly 2,2011.
  27. ^Christensen, Kim (June 13, 2007)."Camera, Legal Action! The making of a kung fu flick on Guam turns into court battles on both sides of the sea".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 11, 2015.RetrievedMay 3,2011.
  28. ^Denight, Nate (June 1, 2010)."Tropic Blunder: The Curse of Max Havoc".Uno Magazine Guam.Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2011.
  29. ^Kerrigan, Kevin (October 15, 2012)."Laing misses 2nd payment to GEDA in settlement over Max Havoc film fiasco".Pacific News Center.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedOctober 23,2012.
  30. ^Kerrigan, Kevin (October 26, 2012)."Liang Makes Another Payment to GEDA, Pangelinan Confident Final Payment in Max Havoc Film Fiasco Will Be Made by January".Pacific News Center.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedDecember 29,2012.
  31. ^Aguon, Mindy (February 25, 2013)."Laing, GMPC make first installment on settlement".Kuam News.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 27,2013.
  32. ^"Tales of an Ancient Empire".Dread Central.April 17, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2012.RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
  33. ^"Tales of an Ancient Empire to Debut at Fright Night Film Fest – Comic-Con Gossip".Filmifi. July 27, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on February 24, 2018.RetrievedApril 29,2011.
  34. ^"Past YFIFF Award Winners".Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 24,2014.
  35. ^Moore, Debi (October 22, 2012)."Road to Hell Wins Nine Awards at PollyGrind Film Festival 2012".Dread Central.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2014.RetrievedOctober 22,2012.
  36. ^Twitch FilmArchivedMarch 22, 2014, at theWayback Machine
  37. ^"Dread Central".Archivedfrom the original on March 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 22,2014.
  38. ^"An Interview with Albert Pyun".bulletproofaction.June 27, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on August 23, 2017.RetrievedDecember 13,2021.
  39. ^"Albert Pyun seeks funding for his new film".April 28, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 2,2019.
  40. ^Gajewski, Ryan (November 27, 2022)."Albert Pyun, Director of 'Cyborg' and 'The Sword and the Sorcerer,' Dies at 69".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2023.RetrievedJune 18,2023.
  41. ^Hamman, Cody (November 16, 2022)."Legendary director Albert Pyun would like to hear from fans in his final days".JoBlo.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2023.RetrievedJune 18,2023.
  42. ^Burlingame, Russ (November 17, 2022)."Albert Pyun, Captain America and The Sword and the Sorcerer Director, Wants to Hear From Fans in His Last Days".ComicBook.Paramount Global.Archivedfrom the original on June 18, 2023.RetrievedJune 18,2023.
  43. ^Kim Murphy, J. (November 27, 2022)."Albert Pyun, Cult Filmmaker Behind 'Cyborg,' 'Nemesis' and 'Captain America,' Dies at 69".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 28, 2022.RetrievedNovember 27,2022.
  44. ^Kay, Jeremy (August 23, 2005)."Albert Pyun to be feted at Estepona festival in Spain".Screen Daily.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2012.RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
  45. ^"The Golden Cob 2011 Winners".The B Movie Celebration. June 27, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2012.RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
  46. ^"De BUT-awards 2013"(in Dutch). Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2013.
  47. ^Reese, Kyle (October 14, 2013)."Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival To Show 85 Films".Igor's Lab.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2013.
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