The Martial Artist

The directorial debut of Shaz Khan is not only about a martial artist, as the title says, but a story of human connections. Ibby's complex family dynamics are very relatable. The movie is an emotional roller coaster highlighting the journey of an angry and scared young man learning to face his fears. He's seeking the truth about his identity while managing the relationships with his loved ones. Ibby's journey is soulful and kept me engaged throughout the movie.

Shaz has beautifully blended both eastern and western cultures. The fight scenes were realistic and meticulously choreographed. They showed how intensely he trained for this role. The story, though a little confusing at times, didn't take anything from the movie. I am in complete awe of the gorgeous cinematography. Shaz has done justice to the beautiful landscape of Pakistan. As an actor Shaz was excellent, and his costars - Thesa Loving, Babar Peerzada, Faran Tahir & Sanam Saeed - all performed exceedingly well. Beautiful background score was serene & intense at the same time depending on scenes. It truly touched my heart.

His hard work and dedication to his craft are apparent. Shaz - you've done a remarkable job. We look forward to seeing you on the silver screen in years to come!

Shaz khan did a phenomenal job. From the acting to the scenes, directing as well as casting. The movie was brilliant and well put together- thoroughly enjoyable. I was engrossed in the hints as well as details of each scene curious to watch this boy find his way. I laughed and cried. The movie had depth to it and didn't feel like your average cinema. That is what made this film so special. The fight scenes were intense and Shaz's training and hard work was apparent. The spots chosen were epic, from the desert to the mountains and Belize. The green kurtas for that fight scene? Well chosen.

A heartwarming film about a young boy who finds his passion trying to make a career in fighting aka MMA. He's ambitious, it's personal but he's very angry. Angry about the loss of his father, the struggles his mother went through financially to raise them, not being able to provide for his rich girlfriend who he desires to be able to take care of, angry about the lack of support in the cultural community for his chosen career path and his mothers disappointment towards him. Shaz did a great job of capturing the cultural barriers and nuances of his character well and the perfect scene for this was at a community event where all south Asian kids can attest to- the perfect place to fall prey or find themselves in the ring with full blown jabs from uncles and aunty's.

After an incident where his mother publicly shames him at an event, he gets triggered and continues to deal with it in the way always known to him. Ibby also copes with substances and loses control of himself in an addiction. His ego doesn't allow anyone to help him, even his brother.

The turning point for him is when his brother dies. He felt responsible for his death and was unable to accept that he was gone. Ibbys compounded grief gets the best of him and the relationships around him. Ibby was strong and fought many fights and won hence "the prince" but he was not ready for the internal fight the one necessary to conquer. Ibby is lost. His brother coached him through his techniques on physically fighting but was unable to coach his mind. Ibby was not ready to listen.

The second half focuses on the art of fighting- attainting mental resilience and spiritual guidance which was intriguing. Shaz directed scenes very well capturing the state of peace Ibby reaches through profound dialogues from Farhan Tahir "dada". There was a non verbal script to tune into as well as the few words of wisdom that communicated large lessons. One of my favorite lines "you are not depressed, you are not allowing expansion". And the scene where he reaches internal peace captured through the sounds of birds and serenity atop a green mountains. Ibbys grandfather helps him face it all and Ibbys fragmented sense of self becomes whole. The message- that once you are unified, felt your pain, liberated from constructs, you can see things clearly- gauging your opponents moves, planning and problem solving

Ibbys transformation stage, the tail end of the movie was brilliant. His beard, the look of an enlightened person, grounded, ready, connected culturally- whole. There are so many themes Shaz tapped into I don't think I can compile it all here. The end fight scene captured how his body was as dada said "just a vessel" and that his mind is what kept him from falling. He won the fight because his mind kept his body strong- mind over matter. It was definitely high level but also something in it for everyone. All and all a wonderfully depicted film and definitely my favorite film so far! We need more films like this. Thank you for your contribution and epic, invigorating film.

Just got out of watching The Martial Artist, and I have to say, I'm thoroughly impressed. Shaz Khan, who not only stars as Ibby "The Prince" Bakran but also directs, delivers a compelling portrayal of an MMA fighter's journey through personal relationships. It really made me emotional. The soundtrack is out of this world!

The film kicks off with Ibby's rapid rise in the MMA world, capturing the intoxicating allure of fame and success. Khan's depiction of Ibby's initial triumphs is both authentic and exhilarating, drawing viewers into the high-stakes world of professional fighting. However, as Ibby's career begins to falter, the narrative delves deeper into his internal struggles and strained relationships, particularly with his family who have reservations about his fighting career. This exploration adds a rich emotional layer to the story, making Ibby's journey resonate on a more profound level.

One of the film's standout aspects is its authentic portrayal of MMA. Khan's dedication to the role is evident, having undergone extensive training with renowned MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro to ensure the fight sequences are both realistic and engaging. This commitment pays off, as the choreography is both intense and believable, immersing the audience in the visceral world of mixed martial arts.

Visually, the film is a treat. The cinematography captures the stark contrast between the bustling MMA arenas and the serene landscapes of Pakistan's mountains, where Ibby seeks solace and understanding from his estranged grandfather, portrayed with depth by Faran Tahir. These scenes not only provide a visual respite but also serve as a metaphor for Ibby's internal quest for peace and identity. Khan's multifaceted involvement in the project-as actor, director, and writer-demonstrates his passion and dedication to storytelling. The narrative's focus on self-discovery, familial bonds, and the challenges of balancing personal desires with external expectations is both timely and timeless.

In conclusion, The Martial Artist is a commendable film that offers more than just action-packed sequences. It delves into the complexities of ambition, identity, and redemption. Shaz Khan's performance, coupled with his directorial vision, makes this a film worth watching. Whether you're an MMA enthusiast or someone who appreciates character-driven narratives, this movie has something to offer.

The movie starts of a little fast for the first 30 minutes or so with scenes seeming unfinished at the start but after movie the goes to Pakistan it gets much better with amazing visuals and choreography. As it comes to the mid section and ending the cuts are less dramatic and we the audience are able to take in the emotions more with beautiful acting done by all the cast

I would recommend this to everyone but not the dubbed version, the dubbed doesn't mesh well with unclear dialogue in some of the dialogues

I would absolutely recommend at this time when movies have became stagnant and lack luster.

I enjoyed the film . Fight scenes were great , film showed the cultural differences and intra family dynamics very well. This film shows the "fighter " as a whole person who is dealing with real life situations.

These guys pulled this off is amazing all by itself. I feel we need to support the new guys otherwise all we will have is superhero movies.

Looking at it from a desi standpoint, these guys covered the social pressures and attitudes towards any career other than STEM.

From my point of view these guys did a lot with limited resources , I wish they had more dates at my local cinema. Hope people give this team the chance they deserve.