THEME EXPLORATION

discipline and training

25 films · 3 directors

Tracing the thread…

FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
Never Back Down
Never Back Down
2008 · Jeff Wadlow
Drunken Master
Drunken Master
1978 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · Irvin Kershner
Empire
Empire
2010 · Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Enlightenment: A Second Night of Dreams
Enlightenment: A Second Night of Dreams
2007 · Kon Ichikawa
From Here to Eternity
From Here to Eternity
1953 · Fred Zinnemann
Kes
Kes
1969 · Ken Loach
Sanshiro Sugata/Judo Saga
Sanshiro Sugata/Judo Saga
1943 · Akira Kurosawa
The Dragon Tamers
The Dragon Tamers
1975 · John Woo
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid
2010 · Harald Zwart
The Singing Lesson
The Singing Lesson
1967 · Lindsay Anderson
Wars
Wars
2021 · Nicolas Roy
Challenge of the Masters
Challenge of the Masters
1976 · Kar-leung Lau
Hanna
Hanna
2011 · Joe Wright
Renaud Lavillenie, all the way to the top
Renaud Lavillenie, all the way to the top
2016 · Cédric Klapisch
Top Gun
Top Gun
1986 · Tony Scott
Nanny McPhee
Nanny McPhee
2005 · Kirk Jones
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
2021 · Robert Schwentke
No Retreat, No Surrender
No Retreat, No Surrender
1986 · Corey Yuen
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man
2010 · Herman Yau
Tigerland
Tigerland
2000 · Joel Schumacher
Man's Best Friend
Man's Best Friend
1952 · Jack Kinney
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear
2013 · Isaac Florentine
Stormtroopers
Stormtroopers
1976 · Salvatore Samperi
The Art of Fighting
The Art of Fighting
2006 · Shin Han-sol
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Stanley Kubrick United States

His films obsessively explore the rigorous discipline required in military training, classical performance, and human perfection through meticulous visual and narrative control.

 Darren Aronofsky United States

He examines the psychological toll of extreme discipline and training in pursuit of artistic mastery, as seen in his portrayals of obsessive dedication to craft.

 Chloé Zhao China/United States

Her films capture the quiet discipline required for survival and self-determination, focusing on characters who train themselves through hardship and resilience.