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Martial arts movies have a way of delivering some of the most inspiring stories in cinema. These films, famously and sometimes very obviously, aren’t just about epic fight scenes; they’re about personal growth, overcoming adversity, and finding strength in the most difficult moments. The characters almost always face obstacles, but it's the journey of rising above them that makes the story so compelling.

From House of Flying Daggers to The Karate Kid, some of the greatest martial arts classics show us the power of determination and self-discipline in the most profound way, without sacrificing their often breathtaking visuals. Beyond their entertainment factor, martial arts films teach us that, with perseverance, we can push through tough times. It's the mix of struggle, heart, and eventual success that makes them so inspirational and unforgettable, no matter how much time has passed.

The Protector (2005) Directed by Prachya Pinkaew

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Officer Black Belt is a South Korean action comedy film written and directed by Joo-hwan Kim. The Netflix film follows the story of Lee Jong-do, a skilled martial arts fighter as he is recruited by a probation officer to help closely manage the criminals wearing electronic ankle bracelets to stop them from hurting innocent people. Officer Black Belt stars Kim Woo-bin in the lead role with Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Hae Young, and Kim Yool-ho starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the thrilling action, hilarious comedy, and compelling characters in Officer Black Belt here are some similar movies to watch next.

Midnight Runners (Tubi & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – Lotte Entertainment

Midnight Runner is a South Korean action comedy film written and directed by Jason Kim. The 2017 film follows two new students at the Korean National Police University...

Chicago – Season Seven of Chicago’s Asian Pop-Up Cinema (Apuc) continues on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018, with the film “Sad Beauty,” a film from Thailand directed by Bongkod Bencharongkul, who will appear on behalf of the film at the screening. The evening begins at 7pm at the AMC River East 21 theatre. For details and tickets, click here.

“Sad Beauty” is a female friendship story, punctuated by a shocking Quentin Tarantino-esque murder incident that puts the two companions on the road. Yo (Florence Faivre) is a fading Thailand film actress whose loyal friend Pim (Pakkawadee Pengsuwan) finds out she has cancer. In the course of one year, as Pim fights the disease, the friends become closer and more distant, depending on the circumstances of their meet ups. The unique insider view of celebrity excess in Thailand is combined with the tenderness of loss and the toughness of two women who rely on each other.

“I’m glad I got to be your friend.”

Bongkoj Khongmalai can look back on a successful acting career in her home country. With many collaborations and projects under her belt, the end of her acting career obviously meant a drastic change in her life. However, the actress, also known under her nickname ‘Tak’, is no one to back to easily and being dissatisfied with the option of another career in TV she decided to instead try sitting in a director’s chair.

In an interview during the Udine Film Festival 2018, the actress describes the rocky path to “Sad Beauty”, her second feature as a director. Female filmmakers have to fight stereotypes and lack of distribution of her films since directing is typically seen as a pure male profession. In fact, when she approached production companies for “Sad Beauty” and her first feature “Angels” (2013), the reception was rather lukewarm, forcing...