San Diego Asian Film Festival 2008

BLACK BELT is a well acted, deliberately nuanced drama about the moral dilemma of a young man forced to choose between his principles and his obligation to defend the helpless. Trouble develops in Japan’s late Showa dynasty (1932), in the wake of that country’s invasion of Manchuria, when a company of military police arrogantly disrupts the karate studies of three young men at the rural dojo of their old wise master. Convinced that their skills can help in battle, the army wants to acquire their services as fight instructors.

The fact that actual karate masters portray the main characters guarantees a great martial arts flick. No wires, no stunts and no elaborate special effects. It’s a no-frills fistacuffs that is all simply quick and brutal.

Co-presented by:
Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana