Through martial arts cinema Fighting Spirit aim to entertain and inspire people, promote martial arts culture, and support those who have chosen it as a career.
Fighting Spirit hope that by making this an annual event that it will help create a stronger market for martial arts and action films, support and grow the legacy of films in the genre gone before and continue to entertain, inspire, amaze and enlighten audiences.
After selling out in both 2018 and 2019, they had to return to Birmingham and have put together a fantastic programme to make up for their absence.
The festival will start with a conversation with Birmingham filmmaker Ranjeet S Marwa who will be talking about his new film Rupture along with stars Mark Strange, Nick Khan, and James Bryhan. Following this are the award winning films from Fighting Spirit 2021 – Deviants, The Cocktail Party, Survivors, Jiu Jitsu Saved My Life Twice, and Duty: Out Of Line.
After that they will be presenting the documentary Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No! This definitive documentary chronicles the Hong Kong action industry, with first-hand accounts from the people who made it great. Featuring icons Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-ping, Donnie Yen, Tsui Hark, and veteran stunt performers Yuen Wah, Mars, Yuen Qiu, Chin Kar-lok and many many more.
FSFF is proud to present this documentary in the UK for the very first time, in association with the Hong Kong Stuntmen Association, and with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
To finish the day, showing in Cantonese, and the original Hong Kong theatrical cut, Drunken Master II – the smash-hit sequel to the film that made Jackie Chan an international star. The 1994 Chinese New Year blockbuster sees Chan return to his kung fu roots – featuring genre icon Lau Kar-leung, Cantopop queen Anita Mui and legendary superkicker Ken Lo. This rare screening is not to be missed, and is presented with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
On top of that, there will be live Martial Art demonstrations throughout the day. The event will be a great chance to meet some filmmakers, and other like minded fans of martial arts and action films.
The Birmingham event will take place on 30th April, view the schedule and get tickets here.
