Stunt performances are considered unique and rare. Behind the
stunt profession, there is a lot of discipline and psychological
restraint.
Since its inception, stunt performance has undergone a
remarkable transformation and reached many countries, including
Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani stunt performer Sain Farhad Farmanli is deeply
engaged in advocating for the art of stunt work alongside his
dedicated team.
This exceptionally skilled stunt professional has graced the
screens of numerous Hollywood and international productions with
his remarkable talents.
In his interview with Azernews , Sain Farhad Farmanli shared
insights into his enriching experience training at the Jackie Chan
Stunt Team Action Film Training Centre, shed light on his upcoming
projects, and discussed the exciting potential for the advancement
of stunt work in Azerbaijan.
Why did you decide to pursue stunt work
specifically?
I have been a huge fan of Bruce Lee since childhood. I wanted to
be a martial arts actor like him. Then I became a fan of Jackie
Chan. His stunts inspired me a lot.
When I entered the 6th grade, I started practicing martial arts.
At that time, I had a desire to be in movies. Now I can say that I
almost fulfilled my dream. Currently, I am preparing for the
production of my own films. I want to be in the lead roles. For
this purpose, I opened my own studio- Ganshar Pictures. I am
currently working with my team on my upcoming movie "QAYTAN".
What is the most complex stunt or performance you have
had to do?
In my opinion, all stunts are complex and dangerous. The most
difficult stunt I performed was jumping from a fast-moving car with
acrobatic movements. It was for a Bollywood film that will be
released on Netflix.
What measures need to be taken for safety in stunt work?
Are there any golden rules?
The golden rule is do adhere to safety conditions and not rush.
It takes time for psychological preparation. Before each stunt,
excitement always arises. I can manage my excitement because I love
my job and have been disciplined in practicing martial arts for
many years. The key is to turn excitement into focus. Everything
needs to be planned and rehearsed so that we can perform more
easily and safely on set. Physical and psychological preparations
continue for years.
In spring, you trained at the Jackie Chan Stunt Team
Action Film Training Centre. Please share your impressions of this
experience. Is cooperation with Jackie Chan's team
expected?
In 2017, I graduated with honours from the Hollywood Advanced
Stunt Course, organised by the stunt academy in California.
My trainers Jones were closely involved in the creation of such
movies of great renown as Matrix, Venom, Captain America: The
Winter Soldier, Fast X, Bad Boys, Spider Man, X-Men, Pirates of the
Caribbean, Fast and Furious, Independence Day, Jason Bourne,
Furious 7, The Mask of Zorro, and Indiana Jones. I also did a small
internship at Universal Studios.
After some time, a relationship developed with Jackie Chan.
After some conversation, he wanted to watch my videos, so I sent
them.
We said goodbye with the hope of meeting again. A few days ago,
I set off to attend special training at Jackie Chan Stunt Team
Action Film Training Centre in Beijing, China.
I should note that it was not allowed to film on the way to the
center, as the location of the center is secret. Only members of
Jackie Chan's team and individuals invited by them can go there. At
the training center, I was greeted by Jackie Chan's team.
Unfortunately, Jackie Chan was filming in another country at the
time. I visited Jackie Chan's house and workspaces a few times.
It is very hard to put into words, you just have to see it.
During the training, the core members of Jackie Chan's team, who
have worked with him for many years, taught us the nuances of the
action genre. Apart from the fight choreography and stunts, they
also taught us directing, cinematography and editing for fight
scenes. One thing that pleased me was that I found confirmation of
what I always knew and did. This means that I am following my work
principles correctly.
I will continue to work in these three areas and teach my team
so that the quality of fight scenes in Azerbaijani films can be
even higher.
At the end of the training, I was awarded a certificate by the
Jackie Chan Stunt Team Action Film Training Centre. In the near
future, I believe I will be involved in Jackie Chan's movies. I am
considering inviting them to Azerbaijan soon. We have established a
friendly relationship with his team.
I have been to Jackie Chan's studio and home several times. It
was a pleasant experience. He is truly a legend. By the way, we
also performed the soundtrack from the movie "Ride On" with Jackie
Chan's stunt team, which you will be able to listen to soon. I
express my deep gratitude to He Jun, the director of the Jackie
Chan Stunt Team Action Film Training Centre, and Philip Sahagun,
the director of K-Star Training Academy, for their excellent
organisation.
In which Hollywood and other foreign films have you
participated? Which work stands out to you the most?
Cinematic works like "RRR" and "Tomris" became memorable. The
film "RRR"" also won an Oscar and received other great awards. We
also received the Taurus Award for stunt performers for the film
"Tomris". The Taurus Award is considered the Oscar for stunt
performers. We won awards for the best fight scenes in foreign
films. Every year, it is presented in a festive manner at Paramount
Studios. Additionally, in 2017, I had the opportunity to learn the
intricacies of my craft from some of Hollywood's best stunt
performers at the Advanced Hollywood Stunt Course.
In your opinion, are there any prerequisites for stunt
work in Azerbaijan?
Potential conditions for the exploration of our field have been
emerging in Azerbaijan in recent years. I, along with my Sain's
Action Team stunt crew, am doing my best to contribute to the
advancement of this field. I hope there will be significant changes
in the near future.
What would you advise young stuntmen?
I advise young stunt performers not to rush to call themselves
stuntmen. Learning this craft requires training under experienced
professionals and gaining several years of experience.
It takes more than just a couple of attempts to become a stunt
performer. Many young individuals have ended up injuring themselves
and facing big challenges by attempting stunts without proper
training and experience.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr