Happy Birthday to Bey Logan who turns 53 today! He’s a man who doesn’t need much of an introduction, especially if you’re partial to some of the best movie audio commentaries, ever! He is a film producer, screenwriter, author, actor and martial artist.
You can read more about him and his thoughts on life, the universe and everything in our exclusive 3-part interview here.
Here’s an example of some of his great work, it’s a Game of Death promotional documentary:
From Wikipedia:
Logan began his career as a writer and editor on martial arts magazine Combat in 1987. In 1992, he was hired to edit the action film magazine Impact published by Roy Jessop & MAI Publications and took the position of Director. He later moved to Hong Kong, and wrote the screenplays for the films White Tiger (1996) and Ballistic Kiss (1998).
In 1998, Logan joined Hong Kong production and distribution company Media Asia Group, where he wrote and co-produced the documentaries Jackie Chan: My Story and Jackie Chan: My Stunts. In 2001, he joined Emperor Multimedia Group and whilst there, contributed to the script along with several other writers for the 2003 film The Medallion.
In 2003, he founded the company Shankara Productions, in partnership with actress Maggie Q. The company’s first production was the 2005 film Dragon Squad, which starred Maggie Q, along with Sammo Hung and Michael Biehn (and in which Logan made an appearance). He also represented the Sydney-based sales agency Arclight Films, overseeing the release of several Hong Kong films.
Throughout this period, from 1999 until 2005, Logan also worked for Medusa Communications, providing audio commentaries for the UK releases of Hong Kong films on their Hong Kong Legends label, and latterly on other East Asian films on Medusa’s Premier Asia label.
In October 2005, shortly after Medusa Communications were bought out by Contender Entertainment Group, Logan left to become Vice President of Asian Acquisitions & Co-Productions at The Weinstein Company, where he oversaw the company’s Dragon Dynasty brand, a distributor of East Asian titles. In this capacity he had a hand in acquiring both new and classic films for distribution in the US, some of which had never been released before on DVD. All of the Dragon Dynasty titles to date have contained extensive special features, including interviews, documentaries and audio commentaries. Many of these commentaries feature Logan as either sole commentator, or as host to guest commentators from the industry.
On 1 October 2009, Logan’s contract with The Weinstein Company ended. He then embarked on a new career as a film producer in Hong Kong, forming his own production label, B&E Productions (standing for “Breaking and Entering”). He confirmed that Dragon Dynasty would continue releasing East Asian films after his departure, and that he would retain a consultancy role to assist the company with future acquisitions.
In March 2010, B&E had their first release, The Blood Bond. This English-language film was Michael Biehn’s directorial debut, and stars Biehn along with Simon Yam, Emma Pei and Phoenix Chou. The Blood Bond enjoyed a brief theatrical release in Hong Kong, and subsequently sold around the world. Biehn and Logan both regard the film as a disappointment, the former expressing his discontent in various on-line interviews, while Logan wrote a novel (also entitled ‘The Blood Bond’) depicting the film he wished he’d made.
Regardless, Logan and B&E Films went on to produce several further films, beginning with Tony Tang-directed animated film Little Gobie, and another film from Tang, the Cantonese language Beach Spike. The latter is an action comedy, combining martial arts and beach volleyball. It stars Chrissie Chau, Jessica C and Phoenix Chou.
‘Beach Spike’ did decent, if unspectacular, business in Hong Kong and China, and has since become something of a cult classic.
Bey shot one third of his directorial debut, a portmanteau project entitled ‘Snowblade’, but was then forced to put the rest of the film on hold due to a variety of cast and logistical issues. The film is an exotic, erotic manga-inspired action film, and starred Indonesian-born Chinese actress Sable Yu.
Logan is currently back working for The Weinstein Company as a co-producer on ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny’. The film stars Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh, and will shoot on location in New Zealand.
Bey is also producing a documentary, ‘Donnie Yen: A Hero’s Journey’, about the life and career of martial arts movie superstar Donnie Yen
He is also preparing a new B&E project, ‘Lady Bloodfight’. The film, which focusses on a hidden tournament for women warriors, is co-produced with LA-based Voltage Pictures. It stars fan favourite Amy Johnston. The film’s fight scenes are being choreographed by Temur Mamisashvili, assisted by Andrew Dasz.
Other B&E films that have been in development at various times have included: Rogue Option, a spinoff of the Gordon Chan films The Final Option (1994) and First Option (1996) and would feature Michael Wong reprising his role from those films. Subsequent intended projects include Choy Li Fut, a period kung fu film; Harlem Goes East, a “blaxploitation” action film; ‘Fantom’, an ‘Escape from New York-meets-The Raid’ actioner and Synthia, a futuristic comedy/drama. Some of these titles are currently only in the script development stage.
Bey is also writing his third book, entitled My Life in 36 Chambers, featuring his personal top 36 Hong Kong films, mingled with some autobiographical material.
The following is a documentary Bey did on Enter the Dragon Hong Kong Locations.