Ong Bak
A Tai film which has been around for a while, but I watched it again recently. I have to confess I did really enjoy this film even for seeing it the 2nd time. Some very gritty martial arts fight sequences (although some moves were very repetitive) and a nice modern take on the old style storyline of a village religious icon being stolen and a hero being sent to recover it.
I am not very familiar with Tai culture (I have one Tai friend who I have not heard from in ages and that is it) but I did wonder whether the film was making a statement between the clash of values between the city and rural populations in terms of community values and religion. Out of all the religions, Buddhism does strike me as the one I would have the most tolerance for. That mixture of being fair and charitable to others combined with fighting for self defence and what you believe is right does appeal to me.
A good film, recommended for anyone who likes foreign martial arts film with a bit of morality thrown in. A review of Curse of the Golden Flower coming up when I get round to watching it.
I am not very familiar with Tai culture (I have one Tai friend who I have not heard from in ages and that is it) but I did wonder whether the film was making a statement between the clash of values between the city and rural populations in terms of community values and religion. Out of all the religions, Buddhism does strike me as the one I would have the most tolerance for. That mixture of being fair and charitable to others combined with fighting for self defence and what you believe is right does appeal to me.
A good film, recommended for anyone who likes foreign martial arts film with a bit of morality thrown in. A review of Curse of the Golden Flower coming up when I get round to watching it.