I'm really hoping 2015 is the year I get back to making my movies...my way. 2014 was a watershed year for me as I had just lost my two girlies Chiba and Nobu in the winter of 2013 and had welcomed three new fur babies into the family (BuBear, Chibu and Tess). 2014 had the challenge of my illness which I struggled with throughout the year. But I proved to myself I could still make movies by making one of my best (The Interrogation of Cheryl Cooper) and finished the evolution of my most memorable film, Road To Hell. We bought a house suited to my condition and last February 5th, I married the great love of my life, Cynthia. Through all the testing and treatments, Cynthia has been at my side to give me strength. Yes, my seizures terrified us both and some of the dead ends medically were disheartening. But we came through the year with a better understanding of how to control my illness and how to minimizes it's affect on our lives. I met new producers and partners in filmmaking, Henry Luk of Ace Studios in China and renewed ties with a dear friend, Mike Leeder. Both will help me to my best film ever next month with some of my favorite actors (Sasha Mitchell, Clare Kramer, Dennis Chan and more). While I still grieve for the loss of Chiba and Nobu every day, my three new fur children have given me the love and devotion I need to muster my strength. My illness has given me a chance to take care of myself. Losing Chiba and Nobu told me how fragile our lives are. There's still much film work to be done, but I'm optimistic that 2015 will be a wonderful period of my life. I am continuing to work with collaborators from past films such as Dru-Anne Perry, and Rozanne Zingale. I am thankful to have reconnected with my school friends from Hawaii, Peggy Maltby, Debbie McCann, Belinda De La Vegas, Gary Morihara and more. I have been lucky to work with the very talented Glenn Cochrane this past year. I'm thrilled that I've been able to get closer my cousins, Glenn and Carl Carlson and their families. I am grateful my parents still have good health in Hawaii. I'm thankful to have have the support from fans throughout the world. You brighten each of my days and I think of you sitting beside me as I make decisions and choices. I have a great filmmaking team around me with Tony Riparetti, Michael Su, Kipp Downing and Chris Curnan. They fill in the gaps where I falter. They are not only gifted artists but fine people as well. So I am abundantly blessed and I have above all, my wife, Cynthia. . I hope you will all join me on my Chinese adventure to make The Kickboxer: City of Blood. I hope it pleases everyone here!Before leaving for China, I am trying to book screenings for Road To Hell in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I hope some of you can attend! As my friend Norbert always says "Onward!' - Albert.
|
RSS Feed
Powered by
