Sam Firstenberg

It is impossible to imagine the 80s action cinema without Sam Firstenberg and his films, such as Revenge of the Ninja, Ninja III: The Domination, Avenging Force and, of course, American Ninja, a classic which is still regarded as one of the best martial arts films of all times. In the time when Cannon Group ruled low budget action cinema, Sam Firstenberg was the studio’s most important collaborator. He has made 22 films in 22 years, all the time remaining true to the independent production. Besides action movies, he successfully worked in virtually all genres, from drama, comedy and musical to thriller, science fiction and horror.

His career is closely connected to legendary producer Menahem Golan, our dear Guest from 2011 edition. Golan offered him his first jobs on film sets, which Eventually led him to the position of production assistant and then assistant director. Golan also helped fund Firstenberg’s first feature One More Time in 1981, and when he acquired Cannon Films with Yoram Globus, he contacted Firstenberg. This gave birth to unforgettable action classics that have launched careers of Sho Kosugi, Michael Dudikoff and Steve James, while musical Breakin’2: Electric Boogaloo was also met with much enthusiasm by audiences and critics alike. After the end of collaboration with Cannon, Firstenberg tirelessly continued with films, such as both Cyborg Cop movies, family adventure McCinsey’s Island, sci-fi horror Spiders II: The Breeding Ground and fantastic comedy The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space, in which he had the chance to finish Ed Wood’s lost film.

Sam Firstenberg is one of the action film giants who have rewritten the rules of the genre and set new trends in the 80s. He is a proud creator of B-movies that are full of unbridled energy, liveliness and fun. He sees himself as a storyteller, interested in dramatic, exciting stories that aim to entertain the audience. And he is extremely successful at that, as can be confirmed by action movie enthusiasts of all ages from all around the world.