Art of Action | Mohammed Qissi | Part 2 | Tong Po

[@insertgoodname4809]

It's more important to have good friends in life than anything else. This episode of Art of Action proves that if noting else.

[@ColonelStraker]

Thank you for this particular interview, Scott. Love all your interviews but this one is absolutely my favourite. He is so energized and passionate and has so much detail to share. Amazing to hear it all. Loved every single minute.

[@JV-ll1cu]

Have you watched the Jeff Speakman -one? That is very good too

[@h.c4898]

Imagine if they would have sticked together during the 90s, Qissi having total creative control over the fight scenes we would have had the bests of JCVD. Things happen for a reason though. He was a huge blessing to jean Claude. Merci à toi Michel@ 🙏

[@nikolaydimov]

Great interview. I did not know Tong Po was a such good story teller.

[@Aderael]

Awesome episode Scott. Can we get Bolo Yeung or JCVD pleaaaaaaaaaaaase

[@officialcoachdanny]

I wish this had been 3 hours, this interview is very rare to get with Michel 👏👏👏👏👏

[@luckrequired5382]

He's very persistent, direct and driven. He's clearly the engine driving the Van Damme mobile.

[@ColonelStraker]

I watched KICKBOXER this weekend and noted, in the opening credits, it stated "FIGHT SCENES CHOREOGRAPHED AND DIRECTED BY JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME"

[@Fretboard_Frenzy]

​@@ColonelStrakerObviously, Van Damme stole Mohammed's work and also Van Damme is pretty ungrateful person. Being a world famous action movie guy got his head and he became more and more cocky, arrogant person over the years. Also, he is worsened by the alcoholism and drug addiction. Mr. Mohammed clearly has a stronger personality and creativity as a person and he is a very good fight choreographer/supporting actor in Martial Arts movies. Underappreciated one.

[@cookedit]

​@@Fretboard_FrenzyOr maybe Qissi is just lying, perhaps.

[@brakus73]

@@Fretboard_Frenzy With all due respect, but that is your personal opinion and does not mean it is true. I totally agree that Qissi supported Van Damme, but maybe you don't realize that according to Mohammed he did practically everything, he just needed to put on Van Damme's mask and say that he made the film. It seems to me not just a little but quite exaggerated that I'm not really believing much of what he says anymore. Why don't I apply what he preaches so much for him???? Maybe he didn't care about being an action star or anything like that??? I don't think so, because he has practically lived alone from his Tong Po character. The name Tong Po is bigger than Qissi. I have nothing against him and I have always liked him but in all the interviews I have heard about him lately EVERYTHING was done by him and not Van Damme. Van Damme must have had some merit of his own because he went much further than Qissi and yes, unfortunately the world of drugs meant that he would not go any further. That Van Damme made a promise to Qissi that they would share everything seems fine to me, but come on, let's be honest and mature, they were young people with dreams, that does not mean that Van Damme should keep it for life and I think he has already paid his debt beyond than they imagined themselves. That someone does not like Van Damme, I agree and it is normal but from there losing objectivity and seeing everything bad in him is totally different.

[@Fretboard_Frenzy]

@@brakus73 With all due respect, your observations are quite unrealistic. Even in today at the year 2023, JCVD barely speaks English. He doesn't have a talent of a clever fight choreographer like Mohammed Qissi. His communication skills was/is always pretty limited with the movie crew. Sheldon Lettich can confirm that. He's not much of a cultural fella. And everybody knows that in Hollywood, he is a very problematic guy and difficult to work with. Also add his destructive drug addiction to this ugly cocktail, you'll get a total mess of an action star. Yes, he had the look, muscles, charisma, skill (not in the acting department) and huge amount of luck. 🍀 Good directors skilled work, team work saved him a lot. Clearly, his biggest successes came with these 3 pictures: Bloodsport/Kickboxer/Lionheart etc. And Mr. Qissi explained it in a very detailed manner. He was the driving force as a partner and childhood friend in those films and for all those 3 highly successful classic action flicks. Obviously, Van Damme still owes a lot to Mohammed for his contributions, his immense support and brotherly help... Qissi isn't the only colleague that cheated by Van Damme. JCVD even abandoned Bolo Yeung and also badly treated him like a trash for a while. Like 15-17 years. He only likes Bolo, when he says such a baseless and crazy thing like that in a reunion dinner: "JCVD is better than Bruce Lee. JCVD surpassed him." Lol 😂... Oh yeah! JCVD is superior lol. What a moronic statement. Bolo is also a pretty weird guy sometimes. And to me, seems like you are trying to belittle his role and labelled him as a liar too. Van Damme is an ungrateful person. Fame and fortune got his head real bad. Maybe somebody can tell me that: 'Whenever we witnessed/heard something like this, JCVD came forward and credited/honoured one of his colleagues for their good work in any Van Damme movie? That's never happened and never will! I'm from Brazil and his wife is also a Brazilian. We know JCVD quite well here in Brazil, he is an immature person with childish behavior. We've seen his goofy, unfunny and pushy attitude in so many occasions over the years. He thinks he's the hotshot. Not anymore! We also know his terrible treatment to his own wife, when he was a junkie. His Brazilian wife saved his life many many times and lifted him up. With her immense support, JCVD particularly managed to get rid of those harmful addictions. And if we stick to the main content: Besides JCVD, every other participants of Bloodsport and Kickboxer recognized the importance of Qissi's role in those movies. What's the problem with Qissi's involvement, when he's telling the other side of the story? He have a right to defend his work property and share the lesser known details with the fans. Plus, Qissi obviously doesn't need to lie about this subject, especially in a Scott Adkins interview. People aren't stupid and anybody can detect the dishonesty in someone's false words and stories. Other actors or directors can come up with confirmation or they can deny the Qissi's remarks. Simple as it. But, majority of die hard JCVD fans, no doubt about it. They're not going to accept his defects as a person and action movie star. Better stop wasting time here by arguing with others. Even better, why don't you ask all your questions directly to the man's himself by sending an email ✉️? I would like to get Qissi's response to your assumptions.

[@CinematicTendency]

Tong Po is definitely a memorable 80s villain. His intro scene got embedded in my mind since I was a kid.

[@lowlowseesee]

such a great intro to a villain

[@CinematicTendency]

@@lowlowseesee Yeah. In that scene alone, we learned about him w/o any quotes or lines. His facial expressions and body movement say enough 😱

[@razorcallahan3029]

Fantastic casting a Moroccan guy as an Asian beast 👏🏻

[@indokidsurvivor4659]

​@@lowlowseesee😊 30:42

[@JensPeder27]

Qissi did do a good job of making Tong Po into a real nasty villain that makes people root for the hero more

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

I love Qissi, he speaks from the heart and you can tell he really looked out for his pal...I strongly feel JCVD hasn't given Qissi the credit and thanks he is deserving...bless him 🙏💯🙏

[@grantdeancommons5390]

Yes that's true Qissi is a nice person and should have been looked after better by JCVD

[@Robd07]

Qissi is the Best!

[@AnnieDaQueen]

I was around when the movie premiered in Malaysia, and JCVD, Michel Qissi was in Malaysia. JVCD had said in an interview then, Qissi was more than a best friend then.

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

@@AnnieDaQueen very true 💯

[@TheShadowdetective12]

First jcvd movie I ever saw was double Impact. His awesome kicks made me a big fan. I learned martial arts kicks because of him

[@ninakoleva4932]

In this video there is a lot of energy, frankness and respect for partner Jean Claude. Mr. Mohammed Qissi talks about his participation in the film with such enthusiasm, as if the scenes were filmed only an hour ago. Undoubtedly, he is a physically and mentally strong person who has given his heart to martial arts with love. Great video - interview Mr. Scott Adkins I enjoyed watching !!! Thanks for that !!! ♥

[@razorcallahan3029]

I hope Jean Claude appreciated all that Qissi did to make him famous

[@ColonelStraker]

25:03 Has to be my favourite part of this whole interview! I watched KICKBOXER this weekend and noted, in the opening credits, it stated "FIGHT SCENES CHOREOGRAPHED AND DIRECTED BY JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME". I wonder why Qissi didn't get credit for what WE ALL KNOW he did.

[@sammartinez1685]

Maybe because somebody's not saying the truth 🤔

[@razorcallahan3029]

Because Jean Claude was a big movie star and nobody knew Qissi

[@sahargamal5403]

Mr.Scott you never disappointed ❤

[@FIxt00l]

Incredibly nice guy and a pro. It's mind blowing how much attention to detail he put. We used to think he's world's top villain...

[@razorcallahan3029]

Imagine if he had trained for 5 months Tong po would be more bigger

[@tryjay]

Happy to finally see this story being told. Mohammed Qissi you were brilliance all this while.

[@Marcinvd1]

Easily my most favourite guest star of The Art of Action. What a likebale and passionate man Mr Qissi is. It was great hearing the true stories and not the BS that was spread over the years about how JC got famous. Alsonits sad that JC never gave any credit to Mr Qissi in his interviews over the years. So glad there's a 3rd episode coming. Thanks very much Scott

[@codenamecatatonic8894]

I had no idea about Tong Po. Wow.. all these years.. Thank You Scott & Mohammed. Great video

[@mrferniehernandez]

Kickboxer is my favorite JVCD movie. It has everything. Funny, action, drama, good fights, the music, the sets, the villain, everything was so good.

[@samsonsimpson3]

This was a great interview. I love Bloodsport and Kickboxer and to hear how it was all made is just simply amazing. Great storyteller as well

[@brandonbritto1564]

What amazing history my childhood is literally complete. I can feel the truth in his words. Love it.

[@RetroMonger]

Sasha Mitchell was awesome in Kickboxer 2. Loved that movie also.

[@maartenkos98]

@theartofaction Scott should totally interview Sasha Mitchell. I wonder why Sasha went into comedy (Step by Step) and didn't do more action and finally become one of the Expendables.

[@dafrog491]

i love BloodSport man. Proud to say that i got to meet Forest Whitaker and get a pic with him back in 2011. Life long fan of BloodSport i am.

[@JoJoBeast]

Huge part of my childhood and my dad's favorite villain right next to Bolos performance in bloodsport

[@brahimfightdesign]

Great interview. We all need a friend like Mohamed Quissi.

[@retrosuperheroart2202]

He’s racing through so much info, it reminds me of Apu from the Simpsons who takes 5 minutes off from work to go to a party 😅

[@NicksHEAT1995]

Love Kickboxer. Always have since I was a kid. It is a classic not only because of Qissi and Van Damme, but also because of the story and everything else. An excellent protagonist and antagonist.

[@davidsmallwood8386]

Excellent interview. Looking forward to some behind the scenes stories about Kickboxer 2. I liked Sasha Mitchell in those movies. 👊

[@Shaz-Daz]

It's pretty funny how he openly admits that he really didn't think Sasha was the right one to play Kurt's brother.. 😅😅

[@mariorodriguezjunior]

Me too, I love Kickboxer 2.

[@AGTV10]

I love this guy, especially when he was tong po in kickboxer. One of the best fight scenes between Kurt Sloan and Tong Po. ❤️

[@juandenz2008]

Mohammed Qissi is an entertaining guy and has some great stories.

[@30plusfitnesstv]

Another great episode guys 💪

[@tabijan3532]

Blood sport was the very first movie i saw on dvd and since then i became a big fan of jcvd and watched all his movies 🍿

[@kristianeknycz1381]

😂😂 tong po was in kickboxer not blood sport Blood sport villian od bolo yeung

[@bernardwilliams4071]

Michel Qussi is a character I can only imagine the stories he has of VD. Its cool to hear him give in sight to JC career and the struggle they went threw. He is so animated entertaining guy

[@blackjaguar324]

7:53 When Scott said, "That's a great make-up job," I thought Michel was gonna respond with, "Make-up job?"

[@jungletunes3923]

Scott thank you for interviewing 80s and 90s supper stars.

[@Davut84]

I very enjoy to hear Storys from Mohammad 🎉

[@treestopper2]

I'm so happy and proud to see Qissi featured. He's so important to Van Damme's films. it's equally sad JCVD hasn't been on yet but I worry it's because of JC's ego.

[@SleepingSoldier]

Didn't people say that about Seagal though? I would think if he has the time, he'd eventually do it for Scott.

[@Isnogood12]

@@SleepingSoldierNobody wants to see that bloated sack of human excrement talk about his cunning aikido stunts.

[@Shaki123]

​@@SleepingSoldierSeagal's segment was heavily compromised. Adkins just said yes to everything Seagak said. Never doubting him. This was negotiated 100% before the interview started. JCVD has the same choreography in all his movies. He is nothing special.

[@SleepingSoldier]

@@Shaki123 Further proves my point. Regardless of ego, Scott would more than likely at least invite JCVD on. That's all I was saying. Nothing in depth.

[@Shaki123]

@j_a_YR_a_r nobody wants to see JCVD in movies apparently.

[@adamali813]

Scott was smart here, getting Qissi to clearly explain how the choreography was done to make the fight scenes look good. Hopefully he can emulate it one day.

[@chayanguhathakurata5140]

i was so scared of Tong Po when i first saw him in Kickboxer..it took me almost a decade to identify him that he also fought with Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport

[@razorcallahan3029]

As a kid I found him scary

[@terrellc8658]

Qissi was great in kickboxer as villain tong po he nailed it.great movie

[@СергейЛобов-о3т]

MQ is a very smart and nice person. Absolutely super! Bravo!

[@aiolos0053]

Honnêtement Mohamed quissi quand il parle ont ressent bien la bonté et gentillesse qu'il à franchement 'de Belgique j'ai vu des interviews de lui il est comme jcvd 'respectueux et magnifique acteur comme Scott aussi que j'apprécie énormément 🙏

[@СергейЛобов-о3т]

Perfect Interview! I was rather happy to find out so many interesting things about my favorite movie. I suppose that MQ was not only a good friend of JCVD but also his lucky talisman. As soon as Van Damme lost him his career started to fall apart. Good people and good friends are more expensive than gold that shall be noted and remembered.

[@ctakitimu]

"You bleed like Mai Li. Mai Li good f***" - That line was brutal to teenage me and I still remember it (Kickboxer I think?)

[@unique7988]

Yes, Kickboxer.

[@Orcishihi]

Love how passionate Mohammed is

[@arc2960]

Thank you, such a great interview and his best friend and best advisory at all times, Scott Adkins you such a great intertainer when it comes of Martial Atrs

[@SKYNETSTUDIO]

These videos are golden for us fans of martial arts films from the 90's ! Thx for that Scott ! I watched every single episode since you started it. That was an amazing idea during the "lock uo" by the way ! I love to hear these little details from movies to movies that we all saw thousands of times. Really, thank you 🙏

[@bobdolphin248]

Muhammad Qissi... superb 👌

[@tizzlekizzle]

Great interview.

[@shanebigfella7884]

I love this show

[@raitshots]

👍😎 good interv. Remmember another action movies. Interesing adventure movies history 👍😎 Scott 🤙👍💪

[@jrgenclevin4185]

Love these insight videos. Keep em coming, Scott.

[@StultifiedGraphics]

Man kinda wish we got to see more of him. I have to say, I liked Kickboxer 2 better then the first, He was an awesome Tong Po. I also liked Wrong Bet or Lionheart as they also call it, Hes right the first 3 movies were his best, I didn't mind Double Impact and of course universal Soldier but also Hard Target, Time Cop and Sudden Death. But there really wasn't much else that was that great.

[@hcAdonis]

Great work Scott finding and interviewing Mo Qissi and his super insight into his time with JCVD. But I hope all this is leading up to one day having the legend himself Jean Claude Van Damme appear on your show too. Long overdue 👍

[@Chavdar25]

Scott because of you and Michael I have to see Lion Heart again 💪🏼

[@ryanzavier5350]

Would like to see Paco (Paulo Tocha) from bloodsport on your show next👌. Love your content Scott. Keep up the good work. Hopefully we see Boyka back soon😎

[@mikeharati8008]

This podcast touched my soul, thank you

[@Daniel-z2j2v]

I just clicked the bell can’t wait for part 3

[@Domzdream]

That! was awesome! Thank you Scott

[@arturoalvarez3812]

Until now I'm realizing that I participate as one of the fighters in BLOODY CONTACT!! evidently! TONG PO's Character catapulted him as a superstar!!

[@FilatovFitness]

Thank you very much for this videos 💪

[@Domzdream]

So looking forward to this!!

[@Domzdream]

I swear I just know myself - I will do a van damme marathon of films these Xmas holidays. I guess I’ll be watching Bloodsport the 118th time, in all my 48 yrs.

[@yabuki8707]

Very interestint. We Can sée JCVD would have not been such a movie star without Mohamed Qissi s help

[@magninjutsu]

Grand respect to M.QISSI. Great Man

[@movienator76]

Tong Po The Legend, nice talk, thx

[@TboneTenEighties]

@28.20 Look at JCVD's footwork. This was super human Jean Claude days.

[@allthethingsiwannasay6835]

Tong po is so hilarious 😂

[@realworld4u206]

WE ALL WAIT FOR A NEW UNDISPUTED MAN!!!!!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 That where your absolutely BEST Movies. And all that agree pls give a thumb for this!

[@darthvaper6745]

Love this....

[@Robd07]

I love listening to Qissi! Van Damme was lucky to have had a true friend look out for him! A shame he turned on him

[@khairt1731]

AWESOME Interview!

[@СергейЛобов-о3т]

They were a very productive team.

[@The.adsm.1.2.3]

Que grande poder ver a este señor otra vez👏👏👏

[@castrof937]

great interview!!

[@ctam79]

Please interview Michael Dudikoff next...

[@MotoMatt418]

This 👆

[@raitshots]

Good person Mohammed Qissi acting movies and live life 👍respect

[@ayoubayoub6384]

Well done Scott, you are so excellent, I love you

[@uthentic_music]

Nice man! Very cool that you are doing this. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@chrism7235]

When will we have the art of action between Sasha Mitchell and Scott Adkins ??? 🥋🇺🇸🎥

[@pyschorealm1]

Man’s a legend

[@markopanic8590]

Really interesting stories about Blood Sport and Kickboxer! Time ran so fast. BR

[@eliotquintana9802]

Thai boxing techniques in 80s lead right punch combo

[@moviejunkpodcast]

love this!!!!

[@Ramberg78]

Great stuff! Love this, kickboxer is my top one fight movie :)

[@TundeEszlari]

You are a very good fighter KZbinr.

[@kentan8536]

Wow Im so proud to be a Malaysian, we made JCVD famous! I didnt know that.

[@ezekieljarek7705]

Bolo is not a great martial artist?😳 That's the first time I ever heard that!

[@second4871]

Bolo was a bodybuilder, and that doesn't mix well with martial arts, especially with oriental ones.

[@playthroughcinema]

17:39 to 18:27 made me lol... he's explaining the original story idea for kickboxer, hilarious.

[@sara.cbc92]

Van Damme tried to downplay Scott and Micheal Jai White's skills in his movies to make himself look better. Polar opposite of HK cinema where they want to bring the best out of the actor's martial art skills on screen.

[@sara.cbc92]

Scott is the last best martial arts actor from HK cinema. Nowadays HK action cinema is dead. The younger Chinese actors have no authentic martial arts ability.

[@maicongamesz9196]

Bolo Yeung assisted very Mortal Kombat for finish 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@advillegas86]

😅😅😅 Legit used to be scare of Tong Po... and the dude did a lot of films!

[@MotoMatt418]

Gotta get JCVD on here. That would be legendary.

[@grantdeancommons5390]

Blimey Scott ,that man not let you get a word in hedgeways lol 😅 he sounds a nice guy ,hes devoted to his work with JCVD ,mayve have him to interview too ,gimme tongpo!! Nuksu cow 🐄

[@QuizNow18]

Moroccan Champion

[@andreasgeorgiou1901]

Now I understand why the fight sequences were out of order, in one scene Mohamed’s character had his leg broken. In the next he’s sitting there waiting to fight 🤦‍♂️

[@razorcallahan3029]

Yeah they tried to edit the movie 😂

[@fabioriva77]

Great Scott, great format and great interview for martial arts film fans... You are a legend and a great martial actor👑

[@silvioveneziano6429]

Legend!!!

[@VYM]

Tong Po and Boyka. Amazing interview.