The Challenger hits the web!

The Challenger

YouTube has, in recent years, become something of a launching pad for aspiring filmmakers to draw attention to their projects, with action filmmakers in particular benefiting for the platform it provides. If you doubt this, you need look no further than the kung fu short film “The Challenger” that’s quickly becoming a hit among martial arts fans online!

Directed by Tran Quoc Bao and featuring Andy Le and Ken Quitugua (both of whom recently appeared in another throwback to old school martial arts films, “Unlucky Stars“, which won numerous awards at this year’s Action on Film Festival) the short is the latest of its kind from the independent action group Martial Club. Responses to “The Challenger” online have been universally positive, and anyone with 20/20 vision will no doubt concur.

The short is just the beginning, however, as “The Challenger” is meant to serve as the basis for a feature set to get rolling in 2016. According to the synopsis from the film’s website:

Estranged Kung Fu classmates are reunited when their master is mysteriously killed in a challenge match. Despite work, family demands, and being dismally out of shape, the sworn brothers must keep their vows made long ago – to defend the honor of the clan at any price.

Stay tuned for more info on the development of “The Challenger”, and be sure to visit the film’s official website as well as Martial Club’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel, home to several other great short films and some pretty solid training tutorials as well. In the meantime, check out Andy Le’s latest video below that shows just how serious he is on this subject!

Brad Curran

From the earliest days of childhood, Brad Curran was utterly fascinated by martial arts, his passion only growing stronger after spending time living in the melting pot of Asian cultures that is Hawaii. His early exposure developed into a lifelong passion and fascination with all forms of martial arts and tremendous passion for action and martial arts films. He would go on to take a number of different martial arts forms, including Shaolin Ch'uan fa, Taekwondo, Shotokan Karate and remains a devoted student, avid and eager to continue his martial arts studies. Brad is also an aspiring writer and deeply desires to share his love for martial arts and martial arts movies with the world!