Recently released on Netflix, the movie "Darc," by Hollywood giant Jules Nasso, has martial arts meshing with human trafficking. "Darc" is Nasso's return to the martial arts and action film genre as producer and director.
Nasso's over 30-year career in the film business as both a director and producer is well known for his action blockbusters including "Under Siege," "Out for Justice," "Getaway" and "Narc." For "Darc" Nasso is excited to have his new protégée Tony Schiena as the movie's screenplay writer and one of the movie's stars. Schiena stars in the movie alongside famed Emmy award-winning actor Armand Assante and major Japanese stars Kippei Shiina and Sho Ikushima.
Nasso took on Schiena to create Netflix ‘Darc’
Schiena is a real-life former expert for counter-terrorism training, an intelligence operator with Special Forces training, counter human trafficking and security for conflict areas. Known as a real-life action hero, Schiena is extremely regarded as a world-renowned highly trained covert operative. With Schiena as the screenplay writer for "Darc," the movie promises to be exhilarating and impressive.
As a violent gangster movie, "Darc" conveys an important message as explained by Nasso, "The story will resonate deeply with those fighting the war against human trafficking. "This talented group will shed light on the fact that people are still being bought, sold and smuggled like modern-day slaves."
To add further legitimacy to the movie Nasso brought in as an associate Master Jhong Uhk Kim, known as Grandmaster Kim.
Kim is known as a legend in the world of martial arts. The 9th-degree black belt is one of only a few grandmasters in the world and is endorsed by the Olympic committees in the U.S. and internationally.
Nasso speaks about ‘Darc’
Nasso is not just a man out to make Movies about thrills, he seeks to enhance people's lives with films that bring excitement, joy, and adventure, as well as an understanding of the real world.
His works are brilliantly authentic because of him striving to achieve the best, a quality that keeps audiences and critics giving him top reviews. "Darc" is the perfect example of Nasso's efforts to produce a movie that captivates with its authenticity as much as with stunts and effects.
Carol Ruth Weber: What first got you started in the movie business?
Jules Nasso: I was very fortunate starting in the business being an assistant to director Sergio Leone on "Once Upon a Time in America," and got turned on to the actual nuts and bolts required for filmmaking. I then used, and continue to use, those same learned principles in my martial arts films.
After working with Steven Seagal, I segued to working on other drama type films to prove my talent and to compete to feel completely successful. Now I am excited about the new "Darc" movie and franchise working with Schiena.
There the two types of demographics for action pictures. The first would be the non-fighter drama driven and gun fighting story that one would see Travolta or Cruise in, with audiences entertained by movie art action.
My specialty is the second type of action picture which is martial arts action films, with notables such as Jackie Chen, Bruce Lee, Van Damme, and Norris. Those are the films that the fans watch over and over again to learn the moves and to challenge them to see if they are real.
The movies are driven by credentialed martial artists with a chance to perform their work through film and real hand to hand fighting. The action is performed by real actors with martial arts credentials. Having the best-credentialed people involved gets the fans attention. "Darc" is the perfect example with Tony Schiena and Grandmaster Kim on board.
CRW: What brings you back to making a movie thriller?
JN: In 1999 I left Steven Seagal.
In London, I was running my first security company after exiting the intelligence field in Africa. I met Tony in London who had all the qualifications to become a martial arts action star. Those credentials add to making a true martial arts film.
It is now time to find young talent to take on the martial arts genre again and Tony has all of the prerequisites that I was looking for. Tony wrote the screenplay after coming up with the "Darc" character when we were brainstorming. The "Darc" caricature is to begin the franchise. I have a great ability for creating franchises and caricatures including the Cabbage Patch dolls.
CRW: Why do you enjoy producing?
JN: I enjoy producing because it is taking everything from air and putting all the elements together from hiring cast, crew, sub-contractors and even directors, along with directing physical production and controlling distribution.
It is wonderful getting to see all the material edited and the magic comes together for the film.
CRW: What seems to set you apart is how you bring in experts to really-authenticate your movies. Where do you find the experts, or do you meet the experts and then come up with an idea for a movie?
JN: Being in the martial arts arena, I am privileged to meet the best in the world. I get letters from all around the world complimenting the fight scenes on camera.
CRW: Was your major goal for "Darc" to bring to light the real war against human trafficking?
JN: That is our model for Tony and I as we are both very active in working to ending human trafficking. Even before "Darc," we were speaking at the UN and were invited by the Pope to his Global Freedom initiative.
Tony and I were actual witnesses to the signing of the joint declaration of religious leaders against modern slavery, held in the Vatican and organized by the Global Freedom Network, to stop human trafficking. Our names are in the actual document. The "Darc" franchise is to bring to light our ongoing fight to win the war on human trafficking and the fact that people are still being bought, sold and smuggled like modern-day slaves.
[To be noted, the Global Freedom Network headed by Pope Francis at Vatican City includes Nasso as a board member. The organization has the goal to put an end to human trafficking by 2020.]
CRW: How did you get involved with working with the great Harry Belafonte, Mr.
B, who we all hold in such revere?
JN: Harry and I have known each other for many years and he asked me to come on board to produce his life story and film about his legacy. We traveled all over the world together for five years. When the film was finished, it opened Sundance, Tribeca, Berlin, some 40 plus film festivals around the world.
CRW: What future projects are your dream to be involved in?
JN: Tony and I hope to continue the franchise with "Darc" and other action-driven martial arts films that Tony will be starring in, as well as continuing my work with Harry Belafonte.
Nasso is known for famed works
Not just a master of thrills, Nasso has an amazing life chronicle of famed work. Before "Darc" on Netflix, his most recent work includes "Accidental Love" (2015), starring Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel.
In 2014 "Squatters" opened, starring Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfus and Thomas Dekker. The year before, in 2013, "Getaway," starring Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, and Jon Voight, opened. His production of "Narc," in 2002, starring Jason Patric, Ray Liotta, and Busta Rhymes, won the Special Prize Policier Award at the Cognac Film Festival in France.
Producing for Harry Belafonte since 2006, Nasso has been working with the icon on several important projects affording him with many critical honors. His work with Belafonte on "Sing Your Song" in 2011 achieved the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary. Nasso has since co-founded Belafonte Arts and Media. The famed Nasso is held in high esteem as a philanthropist with honors given by civic leaders and institutions for his unwavering aid for charities.
