Shiai Magazine: Hello Khalil Maasi, you are here to talk about your upcoming film "The Way", although you are regular person in Shiai Magazine can you introduce yourself to our new readers?

Khalil MAASI

My name is Khalil Maasi I am a martial artist, actor, writer, producer. I have a company named MFSI (Maasi Family System International) that researches and practices the martial traditions of Africa and the world martial arts diaspora. I also have a film company named Njia Filmworks which is Swahili for "The Way". Currently I have an award winning film that is preparing to be released to the public named "Bullets Over Brownsville", the trailer and website can be viewed at http://bulletsoverbrownsville.com/BROWNSVILLE/Home.html.

Khalil MAASI

The Way is a martial arts/action/drama that is set in an urban environment in the United States. It deals with people of African descent struggling with day to day issues and using their African traditions, principles and philosophies as rites of passage and a way to steer themselves in the right direction in times of trouble and hardship.

Shiai Magazine: Most martial arts movies give tribute to Asian martial arts and that martial arts are born in Asia but "The Way" is telling people that most ancient form of martial arts is African and that Ancient Africa is birth place of martial arts?

Khalil MAASI:

I think it's quite obvious scientifically that Africa is the birthplace of martial arts. the first humans were Africans and the first time anyone had to protect themselves against wildlife our hostile neighbors was the beginning of martial or combat arts. Archeological findings have already supported that oldest forms of weapons were created in Africa as well so this is a no brainer without even having to get too scientific and using empirical evidence.

Shiai Magazine: We all know about capoeira in Brazil but we are astonished that "The Way" will portray African American martial arts systems like 52 and many others?

Khalil Maasi

Due to the Trans Atlantic Slave trade Africans were brought to many parts of the world creating the African Diaspora. Along with these Africans came their culture and traditions. Capoeira is just one of many of these traditions, it has just had the most publicity until now, but they are many others. Our goal is to pay tribute to the whole collective history of African & Black Diasporic warrior tradition worldwide.

Shiai Magazine: One will like to ask why the movie "The Way" which wants to valorize the African heritage is being shot in America than in Africa.

Khalil Maasi

Because I am African American and I wrote the script from the perspective of African Americans who are Diasporic Africans but who still maintain a connection to the culture despite being separated by time and place.

Shiai Magazine: Can you tell us briefly about the cast and crew implicated in The Way?

Khalil Maasi

At this time we are keeping that information under wraps and will announce that in the coming months, but associates at Openminds Productions the makers of Bullets Over Brownsville will be helping me produce this film.

Shiai Magazine: we hope to have Africans implicated in film project in future?

Khalil Maasi

We are Africans in Diaspora so African are included now. As far as future projects I can only focus on this project at the moment but I would love to shoot a film on the mother continent.

Shiai Magazine: Is there a film casting going on for the Way or those want to help out the movie how can they get information?

Khalil Maasi

For info and updates people can check out my facebook pages at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/khalil.maasi and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Khalil-Maasi-ActorFilm-maker/140071612713625. They can also check out at http://www.myspace.com/thewaythemovie.

Shiai Magazine: When is movie previewed to be filmed and release to international audiences?

Khalil Maasi

That has not been decided yet, when we have finished the movie and have decided on the distribution plans then that will be announced but first things first.

Shiai Magazine: Do you think that you have right screen presence, charisma and fighting skills to potray the main hero of the Way?

Khalil Maasi

That decision is usually left up to the audience at the box office, but if I didn’t think I could carry the film then I would never have wrote it.


Shiai Magazine: Do you truly believe that "The Way" is going to change image and view that people have about African martial arts and black fighters in general?

Khalil Maasi

Again, that is something that is usually left up to the audience to decide but i feel very positive about it.

Shiai Magazine: Do you have any last words to say concerning "The Way"?

Khalil Maasi

This has been a project that has been a long time in the making. I have been working hard to bring this project to screen for years. It's always a battle to make a film project, especially as an independent and as a person of color who is dealing with a subject that is not pop culture orientated. With today’s technological advance in filmmaking and distribution the playing field is becoming more level financially and otherwise so now the time is right to finally get this project done. Stay on the lookout for more updates in the future and visit the facebook fan page and click the "Like" button, we appreciate and need all of the support that we can get because the battle is not over. Peace and blessings and thanks for everyone’s support!

Shiai Magazine: Thank you brother Khalil for your endeavor and hard work in valorizing martial arts in Africa and international black community. God bless you and let our ancestors guide your path. Waiting one day to receive you in Cameroon