Tatiana Neva stars in Prey of Wrath, a new action movie which also starts Cynthia Rothrock. It tells the story of an elite special forces operative who is sent by Russian Intelligence to hunt down former teammates who have hijacked nuclear warheads.
Tatiana stopped by to chat with us about the project.
What was your biggest challenge when taking on the leading role in PREY OF WRATH while also being in charge behind the camera as the co-writer and executive producer?
– Wearing so many hats on this project was an incredible challenge, both physically and emotionally. It required an immense investment of energy. There were plenty of distinct hurdles along the way—from injuries and unpredictable weather conditions to the sheer exhaustion of doing all of my own stunts and fighting (there were no doubles on this production, everyone did their own stunts and fighting, including me, which being the lead means fewer breaks). But if I had to pinpoint the absolute biggest challenge, patience easily takes the gold. Making a movie requires a massive amount of time and effort. It is neither a short journey nor an easy one. Staying loyal to the process and maintaining an unshakable faith in it is probably the most rewarding challenge any filmmaker can face. My team and I shared an unwavering determination to see it through. We kept pushing until an idea became a script, the script became footage, the footage was edited into a movie, and that movie was finally distributed—even earning the honor of trending in the “most popular” section of NBC Universal’s XumoPlay for an entire month straight. This industry is a marathon, not a sprint. Having the stamina and willpower to cross the finish line is a massive challenge, but the reward is equally great. That is why I am endlessly grateful to our incredible cast, crew, production, distribution, and stunt teams for their exceptional skill, dedication, and hard work. A massive thank you to Doug Tochioka, Alexander Nevsky, Stuart Olson, Benny Tjandra, Talon Tears, Cody Miller, the magnificent Lady Dragon herself, the great Cynthia Rothrock, and everyone else who worked so hard to bring this project to life!
Can you tell us a bit about your character in PREY OF WRATH and what attracted you to the role?
– Ludmila is a deeply complex woman of sheer will, intelligence, and unrelenting character. She beautifully unites opposites within herself: she is both an elite warrior with nerves of steel and a broken woman seeking justice for the destruction of her inner child. She begins as a cold-blooded killer, but in the midst of doing what she was trained to do, she discovers free will, critical thinking, and her own humanity—despite the fact that her creators did their absolute best to destroy it at the root. Ultimately, that humanity survives and surfaces right when it is needed most. What initially attracted me to the role was the obvious—she is a total badass, and who wouldnt want to play a character like that in an action film? But what made me truly grow to love and respect her was her depth and multi-layered personality. Beneath the cold exterior of a perfect killing machine lies a beautifully flawed, vulnerable soul anchored by a strong mind, will, and body. As an actress, that kind of emotional complexity is always incredible to explore.
How is this character Lyudmilla similar and different to you?
– She actually became more like me during the writing process, as I got to know her and brought aspects of myself to fill out the character. Our similarities include a fierce commitment to our goals, strong willpower, the ability to lock in, critical thinking, integrity of choices, and a clear recognition of personal boundaries. We both share a willingness to stand up for what is right against what is wrong, along with a selectively rebellious spirit. And, just like her, once I lock onto a goal, I track it down like a guided missile until the job is done. How are we different? Well, for starters, I’m an actress, not an elite special forces operative—I actually pull my punches!
After working with Alexander Nevsky (The Wide West), and now Cynthia Rothrock, which action star would you like to collaborate with next?
– I would absolutely love to work with Alexander Nevsky again! I have thoroughly enjoyed all of our previous experiences. One of these days, we absolutely have to star in an action movie together. I would also love to work with the great Eric Roberts someday, as he is truly one of the finest actors of our time. If I could accomplish both of those collaborations in the same movie, it would be a dream come true!
How do you think PREY OF WRATH stands out (action-wise) compared to other independent films of the genre?
– Prey of Wrath is a love letter to classic 80s and 90s action flicks, as well as Hong Kong martial arts cinema. There is a massive fanbase for that specific era of film, and they have expressed just how much they craved a project like this and how much they enjoyed the final product. And as it was rightfully mentioned in some of the great reviews the project has been receiving, the best thing about it was that the film didn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it brought back a beloved old-school style for those who had been missing it. Sometimes we just want something new that still feels wonderfully familiar. That is exactly what this movie brings to the table.
You actually worked on big TV series like RUSH HOUR. How was the experience?
– It was incredible. I have been a huge fan of the Rush Hour franchise my entire life, so it was incredibly satisfying to become a part of a show that continued that legacy. Playing an assassin was an absolute blast, and seeing my name on the trailer door was pretty surreal. I am deeply grateful for that experience!
Growing up, what were some of the action movies that you loved the most?
– Oh, there are so many! I already mentioned Rush Hour, but pretty much any movie starring Jackie Chan or Jet Li (especially Hero). I also loved any action film with Arnold Schwarzenegger (One of my all time favorites). In fact, Sarah Connor from T2: Judgment Day remains one of my greatest inspirations to this day. Then, of course, there is The Matrix, The Last Samurai, Zatoichi, Enter the Dragon, and The Transporter. I also loved the Rambo franchise, The Long Kiss Goodnight with Geena Davis, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raiderwith Angelina Jolie. As far as television series go, Alias and Xena: Warrior Princess were huge for me. The list goes on and on—it’s so hard to limit it to just a few!
Did you have any influences as an actress?
– Yes, I’ve always been deeply inspired by powerhouse actresses like Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren, Demi Moore, Meryl Streep, and Cate Blanchett. While I don’t wish to mimic anyone else, I have a deep appreciation for the inspiring level of excellence they bring to their craft. Their talent and skill sets are absolutely incredible.
PREY OF WRATH is out in North America. Where can people watch it?
– Prey of Wrath is currently available to stream exclusively on NBC Universal’s Xumo Play.
What do you have coming up next?
– The next project on the horizon is a mystical horror film titled Echoes of the Damned. It promises to be a fantastic experience all around. I am very much looking forward to it!