Kung Fu Movie Guide

“We are put on this earth to follow a specific path that is designed for us. Some of us find it, and some of us don’t – and I definitely think I found the path of what I should be doing in this life.”

Cynthia Rothrock – the undisputed ‘Queen of martial arts movies’ – never anticipated a career as an action film star. The Scranton-raised martial artist initially headed west in search of furthering her kung fu knowledge, often competing in men’s divisions to become a national champion, and touring the world in the process. It was a portentous audition for the Hong Kong action director Corey Yuen which would bring her fame and fortune; an audition which would catch the attention of Sammo Hung, who cast Cynthia in her first breakout film, Yes, Madam! (1985), alongside another relative newcomer, Michelle Yeoh – and the rest, as they say, is history. Although, not quite, because Cynthia’s journey in the film business has been full of highs and lows; huge successes, and false starts. Her three years in Hong Kong would produce undoubtedly her best on-screen fight work – a westerner who became the headline act in a new sub-genre of high-energy, stunt-filled fight films predominantly led by women – before success in the English-language Hong Kong-produced China O’Brien films would see her travel back to the USA and into the highly lucrative world of straight-to-video actioners. She is, quite simply, a trailblazer – a performer who became a bankable star in both the east and the west at a time when the industry, and the martial arts genre in particular, was dominated by men. As a forerunner to Hollywood’s pursuit in achieving greater gender parity in the action film world, Cynthia’s legacy cannot be underestimated. Even now, aged 64, she shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to train, travel the world, appear in movies and teach martial arts. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. For more information, visit her website, cynthiarothrock.com.