RZA on Wu-Tang, The Man with the Iron Fists and kung-fu film influences

In this episode, we present a conversation with RZA, hip-hop producer, director and leader of legendary group, The Wu-Tang Clan.

Born Robert Diggs, RZA was inspired by kung fu classics at a young age, and he and his fellow Clan members would later incorporate them into their iconic debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang, and since then RZA has, while remaining loyal to hip-hop, moved into the film world. After scoring a number of films, he wrote and directed his own: The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) and the upcoming Cutthroat City.

In this Creator Talk recorded at the 2018 Vancouver International Film Festival, RZA joined Calum Marsh, staff writer at the National Post, on stage to discuss Wu-Tang's beginnings, his master-apprentice relationship with Quentin Tarantino and what happened to the four-hour cut of The Man With The Iron Fists.

Following the conversation, RZA went on to demonstrate his prowess in musical storytelling, with a special VIFF Live event – a live-score to the Kung-fu flick that’s been one of his biggest influences: Lau Kar-leung’s martial arts classic The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.

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This podcast is brought to you by the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Presented on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

We've taken our VIFF Talks events online with a series of virtual Creator Talks lined up over the coming weeks. Register now for our Creator Talk with Graeme Manson, the Showrunner behind the latest Snowpiercer adaptation (Netflix/TNT). Happening June 4, 5PM PST. Tickets: goviff.org/graeme-mason

VIFF is currently running a virtual cinema, showcasing a program of compelling films for you to stream from the comfort of your home. View what's streaming over on viff.org

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This podcast is brought to you by the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Presented on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.