Masterpiece Cinema - Ong-Bak

Ong-Bak



Starring Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao.

Written by Prachya Pinkaew, Panna Rittikrai, Suphachai Sithiamphan.

Directed by Prachya Pinkaew

Genre: Martial Arts

Released: 2003

Running time: 101 mins.

Rated: R (American rating for strong violence, language, some drug use and sexuality)

IMDb link: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0368909/

Ever since The Matrix was released, Hollywood action films have become increasingly soaked in CG stunts and Hong Kong inspired wirework, to the point where something that originally seemed exciting and different has become stale, trite and unimaginative.

In response to this, actor Tony Jaa and director Prachya Pinkaew resolved to make a film unlike any other, which not only showcased Thailand’s national martial art, Muay Thai, but did so in an exciting, visceral fashion. The result was Ong-Bak, a film where all the stunts are done onset and in-camera. Tony Jaa prepared for this film years in advance, training extensively in order to be able to do all the stunts himself, and it pays off. Not in years has there been a film so stunning to watch simply for the choreography of its action sequences. What makes it even more impressive is the lack of technical assistance used to achieve everything; no wirework, no doubles. What you see is what you get in this example of guerrilla movie-making.

Sure, the storyline is incredibly rudimentary, with Jaa’s character Ting being sent from his small village into the city so that he can find the stolen head of the village’s Buddha statue. The plot, however, isn’t the point here. The story and the characters are kept basic so as not to complicate things, because who wants to focus on stuff like that when you have to film a scene where the lead actor is kicking guys in the face while his legs are on fire?

Muay Thai is a pretty brutal sport. I’ve seen so for myself, having worked as a spotlight operator at a Muay Thai tournament (don’t ask me how that one came about). The fighters who participate in the sport are highly disciplined, and have incredibly high thresholds for pain. For the most part, it’s not as showy a fighting style as kung fu or karate, but many argue that it’s one of the most effective styles there is, and so it’s interesting to finally see it get some real screen time in a film. Jaa’s fighting style is just like his stuntwork; flawless, breathtaking and, quite often, wince-inducing.

So before the sequel comes out, you might want to check out Ong-Bak. You just don’t see films of this nature coming out of Hollywood. At least, not yet you do.

Next time: Stretch your wings, we’re flying to Brazil.

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