Jalal Merhi

Jalal Merhi (born 1967 in Brazil) [cite news | urlhttp://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1721 | publisher=Egypt Today | title=Coming of Age | first=Zein | last=El Din | accessdate=2008-07-12 ] is a Canadian action film producer of Lebanese origin.

He started his film career by selling his jewellery business to start a film production company. He has produced and acted in numerous action films that can be considered martial arts B movies. Because of this he is known as “Beirut’s Steven Seagal.” [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0580725/bio] ]

Biography

Martial arts

Starting his martial arts with Tae Kwon Do, then 2nd dan in Shotokan, then master in Choy Lay Fut and Hung Gar. He entered in over 150 tournament with a great deal of success, it was then that he was approached by a producer for a movie role. The movie never started, but Jalal got to know many other people with influence and his career was born. He has since worked with martial arts legends such as Bolo Yeung, Cynthia Rothrock and Billy Blanks. He has grown to be a martial arts choreographer and director.

Film career

Jalal Merhi is recognized worldwide as an action film producer/director after successfully delivering over 20 films worldwide within a decade, and numerous short film projects.

Born in Brazil from Lebanese parents Jalal immigrated to Canada to study, and eventually he built an extension of his family jewelry business in Canada, keeping his sport of competitive martial arts on the side, also keeping his eye on his true love, filmmaking.

He sold his share in a building in downtown Toronto and sold his jewelry business with some additional investment from his diamond dealers and created Film One.

From its inception in 1989, Jalal Merhi's company, Film One, has carved its niche in the lucrative action genres, Jalal's commitment to high production values, commercial savvy and organizational skills are what make him one of Canada's most prolific and successful producers.

Filmography

* "Soccer Dreams" (2007) only in U.S.
* "The Circuit 3" (2006) "(in production)"
* "Into the Heat" (2003)
* "The Circuit 2: The Final Punch" (2002)
* "The Circuit" (2002)
* "G.O.D." (2001)
* "Expect to Die" (2001)
* "Crisis" (2000)
* "Tiger Claws III" (1999)
* "Tiger Claws II" (1997)
* "Expect No Mercy" (1995)
* "Fearless Tiger" (1994)
* "TC 2000" (1993)
* "Operation Golden Phoenix" (1993)
* "Talons of the Eagle" (1992)
* "Tiger Claws" (1992)
* "Black Pearls" (1990)

References

External links

*imdb name|0580725
* [http://www.filmonemovies.com/ Film One Movies] (Mproduction company)