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IMDbPro

Sam Firstenberg

  • Director
  • Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
  • Writer
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Sam Firstenberg
A documentary about Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus - two movie-obsessed cousins whose passion for cinema changed the way movies were made and marketed - and the tale of how this passion ultimately led to the demise of the company they built together.
Play trailer3:04
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014)
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Since 1980 Sam Firstenberg has been in the independent filmmaking field. Directing 22 theatrical feature films since completing his graduate studies in film at Loyola Marymount University. One More Chance (1981), starring Kirstie Alley, won prizes in major film festivals and sparked the beginning of his career as a director. Subsequent films have become commercial hits and cult classics, especially the "American Ninja" series starring Michael Dudikoff and the break-dance phenomenon Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984).

Born in Poland, he grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. In 1972 he moved to the US where "Shmulik" became "Sam", and he completed his graduate studies in film at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, where he resides with his wife and three daughters.
BornMarch 13, 1950
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BornMarch 13, 1950
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See rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Awards

Known for

One More Chance (1981)
One More Chance
5.7
  • Director(as Samuel Firstenberg)
  • 1981
Cyborg Cop II (1994)
Cyborg Cop II
3.6
  • Director
  • 1994
Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
American Ninja
5.4
  • Director(directed by)
  • 1985
Michael Dudikoff in Avenging Force (1986)
Avenging Force
5.8
  • Director(directed by)
  • 1986

Credits

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IMDbPro

Director

  • The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space (2003)
    The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space
  • Quicksand (2002)
    Quicksand
  • Spiders II: Breeding Ground (2001)
    Spiders II: Breeding Ground
  • Criss Cross (2001)
    Criss Cross
  • The Alternate (2000)
    The Alternate
  • Hulk Hogan, Robert Vaughn, Grace Jones, and Todd Sheeler in McCinsey's Island (1998)
    McCinsey's Island
  • Motel Blue (1997)
    Motel Blue
  • Operation Delta Force (1997)
    Operation Delta Force
  • Cyborg Cop II (1994)
    Cyborg Cop II
  • David Bradley and Frank Zagarino in Blood Warriors (1993)
    Blood Warriors
  • David Bradley and Todd Jensen in Cyborg Cop (1993)
    Cyborg Cop
  • Mark Dacascos and David Bradley in American Samurai (1992)
    American Samurai
  • Rob Stewart in Tropical Heat (1991)
    Tropical Heat
  • Delta Force 3: The Killing Game (1991)
    Delta Force 3: The Killing Game
  • The Day We Met (1990)
    The Day We Met
    • (as Shmulik Firstenberg)

Second Unit or Assistant Director

  • Caitlin Martin in Crocodile (2000)
    Crocodile
  • Worlds Apart (1979)
    Worlds Apart
  • The Jesus Film (1979)
    The Jesus Film
  • Hamesh Ma'ot Elef Shahor (1977)
    Hamesh Ma'ot Elef Shahor
  • Let's Blow a Million (1977)
    Let's Blow a Million
  • Operation Thunderbolt (1977)
    Operation Thunderbolt
  • Lupo Goes to New York (1976)
    Lupo Goes to New York
  • Tzanani Family (1976)
    Tzanani Family
  • Diamonds (1975)
    Diamonds
    • (as Shmuel Firstenberg)

Writer

  • Cyborg Cop II (1994)
    Cyborg Cop II
  • One More Chance (1981)
    One More Chance
    • (as Samuel Firstenberg)
  • For the Sake of the Dog
    • (as Shmulik Firstenberg)

Videos1

Official Trailer
Trailer 3:04
Official Trailer

Personal details

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    • Sam Firstenberg
    • March 13, 1950
    • Poland
    • (3 children)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Father of Ayelet Firstenberg.

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