Fight or Flight (2006)

Although often thrilling to see, martial arts as depicted in martial arts movies are chiefly an external and superficial representation of conflict. Large-than-life heroes played by the likes of Steven Seagal, Jackie Chan and Sonny Chiba may occasionally express some code of honor, internal conflict or deeper meaning behind their actions or those of their opponents. Yet the audience rarely gets more than half of the message in martial arts expression, usually the part that involves knocking someone’s head off their shoulders. FIGHT OR FLIGHT, a performative documentary on an Irishman’s journey through Thailand’s Muay Thai boxing culture is something altogether different and in ways more compelling and definitely more encouraging.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is largely the work of Peter J. McCarthy who produced and directed this documentary under his Good Dog Films company with help from co-director and cinematographer Shane Sutton. McCarthy is also the subject of the piece, a 30-something Dubliner on a quest to put inner demons to rest. Haunted by memories of being bullied by various people throughout his life and feeling angry and inadequate ever since, McCarthy decides to train in Muay Thai boxing and conquer his fears in the ring. The viewer follows McCarthy through Thailand as he is introduced to the art of Muay Thai by local trainers, leading up to his first match. Interspersed with training and sparring footage are McCarthy’s thoughts, along with insightful comments from his trainers.

The trainers see potential in him and he eventually wins his first match, yet McCarthy doesn’t feel like he’s learned anything profound. He drops his training to explore more of Thailand, first by staying at a Buddhist monastery and later by investigating seedier venues including a cock fighting circuit and Thai boxing matches involving children and even two mentally disabled opponents who were spontaneously plucked from the audience. With his mind still uneasy, McCarthy eventually returns to his training in preparation for a second match. Unlike a fictional action film where the conflict ends when the external fighting does, FIGHT OT FLIGHT leaves McCarthy torn by the realization of what it means to be a real competitive fighter and yet wiser for having endured a year’s worth of physical and mental hardships.

The subject of a Westerner diving into the culture of Southeast Asia and martial arts could have been approached from just about any angle and remained interesting. McCarthy takes the added step of using an artistic, almost experimental approach to presenting both his themes and visuals. The editing and camera work are often presented cinematically with a very good eye for pacing, variety and appealing shots of Thai fighters or locales.

A key element is the use of symbolism. Stock footage of ants devouring larger insects and wars being waged by man are repeatedly used as representations of one of the film’s central themes, the instinctual drive to survive that ultimately propels man to fight. McCarthy isn’t really looking to become some Muay Thai champion. He’s partly trying to answer the question of why people fight. Secondary to this is the question, can he fight and even more importantly, does he have the heart for it? The film isn’t able to provide answers to all the questions that it poses but it does settle on one important conclusion that relates to the true spirit of martial arts, which is fundamentally about non-violence.

What is really fascinating about this film is how it presents the spirit of Muay Thai boxing but as being in conflict with McCarthy’s own desires and ultimate effort to distance himself from violence. In fleshing out these contrasting ideas, McCarthy also smartly reveals that true martial arts competition requires control, a mind not clouded by thoughts of violence and the drive to win.

The experience seems to have been a bittersweet one for McCarthy but his message is hopeful. It ties into the uncertainty and conflicts in our world today, suggesting a very simple, age old solution to resolving many conflicts, internal and external.

The Muay Thai boxing matches in FIGHT OR FLIGHT all appear to be authentic and they are well shot. The filmmakers only focus on McCarthy’s two main matches. The rest of the footage is presented more as a montage. This is not a documentary you want to watch to learn about Muay Thai boxing. The film is more about the inner struggle of one man with Muay Thai used as the agent of change or realization. McCarthy is in decent shape and appears to have really put serious effort into competing. He never takes to kicking or elbowing though and ends up almost exclusively boxing with his fists. His two opponents look pretty straggly. One is overweight and the other is so skinny he can barely keep his shorts on. To be fair, I doubt anyone would be expecting someone in their 30s with only a few months of training to go up against a serious opponent for their first or second match. Even against these lesser opponents, McCarthy still takes a healthy pounding as evidenced by his bruised legs and swollen eyes.

Where this documentary falters some in my estimation is in McCarthy’s limited connection with people he associates with and related gaps in the narrative. We either get interview style comments from people speaking to an interviewer off camera or we see McCarthy interacting with trainers during generic montages while McCarthy narrates. Undoubtedly, the language barrier made interaction difficult, although some interpreters are shown. There is a feeling of disconnect between McCarthy and his environment at times that may be intentional, perhaps as a way of showing how McCarthy really isn’t in tune with the people he’s encountering. Yet without more human interaction, a lot of the scenes appear staged, such as when he’s supposedly staying at a monastery or waving goodbye to someone we cannot see. There are definitely scenes that appear staged for dramatic effect but I’m willing to accept this within the framework of a documentary because of the artistic nature of its overall presentation. It’s one of those films that blur the line between fact and fiction to tell a story that is still more authentic than your typical Hollywood movie.

Production values are surprisingly good for a film that was funded by credit cards, mortgages and donations from friends and family. The sound is crisp and clear. The video is digital but looks decent. The post-production editing and artsy use of stock footage are excellent if slightly repetitive in the use of certain images. I especially like the music selected for use throughout the film. It’s varied and includes a few Thai tracks and some moody, low tempo electronica that compliments the introspective tone of the film.

There really isn’t anything quite like FIGHT OR FLIGHT. It’s like a martial arts movie but a sophisticated one that trades in choreographed action sequences for an artful and insightful depiction of an inner struggle where physical conflict is secondary. There are no great feats of martial arts on display but the film provides something just as enticing, a glimpse at how Muay Thai is interpreted by different people and different cultures and how we as humans define conflict as a whole. McCarthy is an interesting, multi-layered subject who is careful to keep any criticisms brought up in the film, directed at himself or at conflict in general. I recommend this documentary, especially to anyone who has considered getting into martial arts for the wrong reasons. I say that not from personal experience but from the message in this film that reaffirms the holistic approach of quality trainers and instructors the world over. Yet there is a broader message that applies to anyone living in times of conflict.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is being distributed directly online as pay-per-view digital media at www.fightorflight.tv.