"Creativity is about making things for others to appreciate and enjoy."

Sam Firstenberg is the mastermind behind such hits as Revenge of the Ninja (1983), Ninja III: The Domination (1984), American Ninja (1985), American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987), Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984), and Avenging Force (1986). He has directed over 20 feature films and worked throughout the 1980s with the legendary Cannon Films. My first contact with Sam’s work was in the '80s in Turku, Finland. I was often at my friend’s place, and he had access to Cannon movies on VHS. It was there that I immersed myself in the world of Cannon and saw Revenge of the Ninja and American Ninja for the first time. The latter completely stole my heart with its perfect mix of action, humor, romance, and adventure. It was popcorn entertainment in its purest form. What impresses me still today is the way Sam displayed action with an energetic, fun, and light tone. How he created likeable, charming characters with pitch-perfect casting. How he used exotic locations in his visually spectacular action scenes and raised the excitement with sharp editing and a great musical score. Even back then, it blew my mind, and that feeling has only grown over the years. So yes, I fell in love with American Ninja the very first time I saw the movie! For me, it is still the ultimate Ninja movie and the best one ever made!

I also think it is one of the finest action movies of the 1980s. Yes, you heard me right! American Ninja belongs in the same league as the original  Die Hard trilogy, Predator, Lethal Weapon trilogy, Highlander, Aliens, Rambo trilogy, Robocop, Rocky IV, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Mad Max 2, Commando, and many more! The movie knows what it is and knows its audience. It doesn’t pretend to be anything else, and it doesn’t need to! American Ninja is superbly crafted, charming, and fun as hell! So, it is not surprising that American Ninja became an American pop culture favorite and a big success during its theatrical and VHS release worldwide. It also launched a popular franchise and made a star out of Michael Dudikoff. That is the magic of Sam Firstenberg! Many wonderful movies came before and after, including the colorful and fun musical Breakin' 2, and the second teaming of American Ninja stars Michael Dudikoff and Steve James in Avenging Force, which Sam made before returning to the American Ninja franchise with the highly entertaining, action-packed American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, which also starred Dudikoff and James.

Avenging Force is, without a doubt, Sam’s finest work, along with American Ninja and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. It is slightly darker than his Ninja movies, but Avenging Force carries Sam’s wonderful sense of positive energy, storytelling, stunning locations, and spectacular action scenes. Unlike American Ninja, which was distributed by MGM, Avenging Force was released through Cannon Films' own distribution, without a big fanfare or marketing. The movie did very well, but with proper marketing, it could (and should) have been as big as American Ninja. For some, these kinds of action-adventures are considered B-movies, but for me, they are so much more! Sam has made his movies with a big heart. He is an auteur working within the world of the studio system, with limited schedules and budgets, but with creative freedom and it shows! Sam’s passion for filmmaking is so evident in his work, and he truly is one of the best action directors of the 1980s. I wanted to talk to Sam about his creativity, passion, and life. Here is my interview with Mr. Firstenberg. Enjoy!

 (July 2018)

Marko: What inspires you in life, Sam?

Sam: The pursuit of happiness inspires me in life. The triumph of the human spirit, the success of goodness over evil. Tolerance, politeness, and optimism also inspire me.

Marko: What kind of movies or TV series do you love to watch?

Sam: I love movies with strong storytelling, solid and entertaining drama that includes elements of hope, redemption, and a positive message.

Marko: Your movies have such a positive energy, and one can feel your passion for filmmaking. What does directing movies mean to you?

Sam: For me, directing movies means telling a compelling story through visual elements, with entertaining and uplifting values attached to them.

Marko: You were born in Poland and grew up in Israel. Please talk about being a foreign director in Hollywood making American movies.

Sam: Trying to assimilate into and adapt to a cultural environment that is not your own is difficult for anyone. For a foreign director, it’s almost impossible to make a film that deals deeply with American values or cultural icons like American Graffiti or The Last Picture Show. But luckily for me, Hollywood produces many films with universal themes aimed at international audiences, films that are meant to resonate with people around the globe. Within that context and style of filmmaking, any talented director can find a place.

     Sam, Muhammad Ali, Shabba-Doo, and Boogaloo Shrimp during the making of Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984).

Marko: You directed the musical Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. What kind of meaning does music have in your life and work? What kind of music do you listen to?

Sam: Music has a major influence on my life. I’m not a musician, but I listen to music all the time - it keeps me in a good and relaxed mood. I love popular songs, mostly older ones, but I mainly listen to classical orchestral music. It’s my favorite.

Marko: What is your favorite book and why? Is there a book you’ve always wanted to turn into a movie?

Sam: There are so many great fictional works that it’s impossible for me to name just one as my favorite, I simply love good stories. But I can recall one that sparked my desire to adapt it into a film: The Color of Water by James McBride, a Black man’s tribute to his white Jewish mother.

Marko: You’re a very creative person, and you've also designed beautiful furniture and decorations. Can you talk about that side of your creativity? Does it have any connection to your filmmaking?

Sam: As I see it, creativity is about making things for others to appreciate and enjoy. Whether it's creating an entertaining movie, building fine-looking furniture, capturing a beautiful photograph, cultivating a pleasant garden, designing a serene interior, or telling a compelling story, they all fall under the same umbrella. I take great pleasure in seeing people enjoy my creations, and in return, I enjoy their compliments.

The beautiful work of Sam.

Marko: American Ninja is one of my favorite movies! Michael J. Duthie, who was the film editor, also cut many of your other movies (and my first movie). Can you talk about the editing process for American Ninja and your other films?

Sam: Editing is the most intricate and perhaps the most creative part of making a movie. Through editing, filmmakers create the mechanism that shapes the audience’s feelings, thoughts, and emotions. It’s the stage where we bring together all the cinematic elements into one coherent piece of work, shaping and reshaping its narrative and dramatic structure. This is especially true when editing action sequences, and Michael Duthie is a master of that craft.

Marko: Family life and filmmaking can sometimes conflict due to long working hours, travel, and other demands. How did you manage this aspect of your life over the course of your long career?

Sam: It’s all a matter of tolerance, consideration, and mutual respect. My wife Iris also built a career as a university professor at UCLA. We were both busy professionals, yet our three daughters always received plenty of love and attention. Of course, directing movies isn’t a 9-to-5 job, but on the other hand, there were also long periods when I wasn’t working and stayed home, devoting more time to family life.

Marko: You’ve done and seen it all in the film business and worked with legendary producers like Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus of Cannon Films. What did you learn from them? And did you ever consider forming your own production company?

Sam: From Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, I learned that in the movie business, resilience is a crucial trait. You can’t let rejection or criticism deter you or distract you from pursuing your goals. As a director, I’ve always seen myself as a creative person focused on the artistic side of filmmaking not on the administrative or financial aspects. That’s why I never felt the desire to start a production company or produce movies myself.

                                                                                                     Movie mogul Menahem Golan and Sam at the Cannes Film Festival.

Marko: You’ve made successful Hollywood movies across multiple genres throughout your career and worked not only as a director, but also as an assistant director, writer, and more. What has been the most important and meaningful moment for you in the movie business?

Sam: It might sound strange, but for me, the most meaningful moment in my film career happened during the shooting of American Ninja. I saved a young girl from drowning in a swimming pool in Manila. Making movies and telling stories serves an important role in society, it’s a valuable contribution, but saving a young girl’s life is truly meaningful.

Marko: Any advice for future directors out there?

Sam: The best advice I can give to any aspiring director is to focus on the story you're trying to tell. Your goal should be to tell great stories not to chase success, fame, or money. If you tell good, compelling, and exciting stories, success will naturally follow. And if you don’t yet have the financial means to make the big movie of your dreams, make a small one to practice your craft and prove that you can tell a cinematic story.

                                                                                              Michael Dudikoff and Sam during the making of American Ninja (1985). 

                                                                                   Steve James, Michael Dudikoff, and Sam on the set of Avenging Force (1986).

Thank you for inspiring my career, Sam!

- Marko