THEME EXPLORATION

martial arts competition

31 films · 3 directors

Tracing the thread…

FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
Five Fingers of Death
Five Fingers of Death
1972 · Cheng Chang Ho
Executioners from Shaolin
Executioners from Shaolin
1977 · Kar-leung Lau
Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon
1973 · Robert Clouse
Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends
2025 · Jonathan Entwistle
Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis
1979 · Yuen Woo-Ping
Ninja Kids!!!
Ninja Kids!!!
2011 · Takashi Miike
Like Water for Chocolate
Like Water for Chocolate
1992 · Alfonso Arau
The Raid Redemption
The Raid Redemption
2011 · Gareth Evans
The Company’s in Love
The Company’s in Love
1932 · Max Ophuls
Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda
2008 · John Stevenson & Mark Osborne
Raise the Red Lantern
Raise the Red Lantern
1991 · Zhang Yimou
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
2000 · Ang Lee
The Assassin
The Assassin
2015 · Hou Hsiao-hsien
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
1989 · Peter Greenaway
Gunnm
Gunnm
2000 · —
Reprise
Reprise
2006 · Joachim Trier
Salesman
Salesman
1969 · Maysles Brothers
State of Fear
State of Fear
1990 · Janusz Kijowski
Woman in the Moon
Woman in the Moon
1929 · Fritz Lang
Indian Institute of Zombies
Indian Institute of Zombies
2026 · Gaganjeet Singh
2DIE4
2DIE4
2026 · André Abdala
The Long Walk
The Long Walk
2025 · Francis Lawrence
The Plague
The Plague
2026 · Charlie Polinger
Au Bonheur des Dames
Au Bonheur des Dames
1930 · Julien Duvivier
Children Galore
Children Galore
1955 · Terence Fisher
Film For Guitar
Film For Guitar
1966 · Bruce Beresford
Giraffe Football or “The Alternative”
Giraffe Football or “The Alternative”
1973 · Jean Rouch
Puruliar Chhau
Puruliar Chhau
1970 · Ritwik Ghatak
The Dream
The Dream
2014 · Paolo Sorrentino
The Saddest Music in the World
The Saddest Music in the World
2003 · Guy Maddin
The War Game
The War Game
1963 · Mai Zetterling
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Bille Woodruff Hong Kong

Revolutionized martial arts action cinema by blending kinetic choreography with emotional storytelling, defining the modern action genre.

 Lau Kar-leung Hong Kong

Both martial arts master and filmmaker who authentically portrayed traditional kung fu competition and training with technical precision and philosophical depth.

 Karyn Kusama United States

Explored martial arts competition through a contemporary lens in films like 'Destroyer' and documentaries, examining discipline, rivalry, and personal redemption.