Latest news with #TheMartialArtist
New York Times
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘The Martial Artist' Review: Tap Out
In the self-absorbed action movie 'The Martial Artist,' the director Shaz Khan stars as rising Pakistani American mixed martial arts fighter Ibby 'The Prince' Bakran, an unconventional pugilist whose bouts are live streamed from remote locales like Death Valley in eastern California. Impressed by Ibby, the head of a mixed martial arts league (Gregory Sporleder) promises him stardom. But alcohol, women and the killing of Ibby's brother and trainer, Ali (Babar Peerzada), by friends of a former opponent, derail his career. After four years of boozing and working as a waiter, a frustrated Ibby tries to revitalize his moribund career by venturing home to the lush green mountains of Pakistan to be trained and spiritually healed by his grandfather (Faran Tahir). It's disappointing that 'The Martial Artist,' an adaptation of Khan's 2016 short film 'Say It Ain't So,' is a shallow film. Characters like Ibby's long-suffering mother (Thesa Loving), his estranged girlfriend (Sanam Saeed) and his deceased brother are nothing more than maudlin plot devices. Though Pakistan is filmed with a sense of grandeur, Ibby's return to his cultural roots is rushed and superficial. Khan's lack of screen presence, toothless mixed martial arts sequences and unintelligible editing further knock the film down. By the end, when Ibby faces the undefeated Decan Johnson (Philippe Prosper) at the foot of some Mayan pyramids in Belize, we're unsure what or who he is fighting for, or why we should care.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Desperate Eid for Pakistani cinema
A record 16 films are being released this Eidul Fitr in Pakistani cinemas. Among them are six Pakistani films, two Hollywood, three Indian Punjabi films and four foreign horror films from several countries. It's almost as if it's an attempt to break Kung Fu Panda's Po's record of holding as many dumplings in his mouth as he can. One reflects, scratch that, questions the choices we made along the way that led to this. The meme writes itself: someone(s) somewhere may have thought, "How do we end this drought in cinemas?" and came up with the idea to release everything everywhere all at result isn't merely due to a lack of strategy, but a desperation to fill the void. With no tentpole films releasing this Eid, the game is quantity over quality. Once, our cinemas were alive. The screens weren't being shut down at a record pace; enough Indian and Hollywood films came through to sustain the ecosystem and allowed the local industry to keep running. But that was many moons ago. The tide has turned and washed away what we believed was a long-lasting state of flourish. Between hope and delusion Now to repopulate these urban Mohenjo Daro multiplexes, we are breaking the dams and letting the cinemas flood with films. But is throwing everything at the wall, hoping something would stick, a good strategy? With the number of screens almost halved since 2018, is it a good idea to divide the remaining even further by releasing half a year's slate on one holiday? I'd think twice before chasing this mirage. It's clear that the industry is in a panic mode and this attempt is just one more trick being pulled out of a magic hat to get the audience's attention. However, delusion dresses herself up like hope. And blind hope is as dangerous as despair. Look at the lineup of local films: Shaz Khan's The Martial Artist, Kabeer, Ishq-e-Lahore, Qulfee, Abu Aleeha's Half Fry, and Lambi Judai. Now add to it A Minecraft Movie, Disney's disastrous Snow White, Indian Punjabi films in Diljit Dosanjh's Sardaarji 2, Tenu Ghodi Kinney Chadaya, and Mithde,Bill Skarsgard-starrer Locked, Indonesia's Anak Kunti and Almarhum, Germany's The Bitter Taste, the re-release of the anthology Teri Meri Kahaniyaan and Carry on Jatta 3. One wonders, how many shows can each of these sixteen films land at just a little over 100 screens? It's highly likely, if not a certainty, that none of these sixteen films would turn a profit. It's not like we expected the Shahroz Sabzwari-starrer Qulfee to bring back audiences to cinemas anyway. But perhaps The Martial Artist could have, if marketed properly. The foreign horror stack is an experiment because the Indonesian film Sijjin made more than 5 crore last year. At least we are now more open to films from other countries. Though, it would be wiser to spread them out instead of pile them up over Eid. As it stands, cinemas in Punjab are relying on Indian Punjabi films to carry them through the season. They have almost always done well and helped cinemas in the province sail through the storms. Carry on Jatta 3 made 30 crore during its original run in 2023. However, that poses another problem. Citing the Mawra Hocane-starrer as an example, exhibitor Nadeem Mandviwalla said, "Sanam Teri Kasam was a flop when it was released in 2016. The re-release made it successful. The films that have made money the first time around don't see much of an increase." By re-releasing successful films at the same time as the new films, you divide the screens further until each film will play two shows and then disappear. Mandviwalla also agreed that it's not possible for cinemas to play all the films. They will naturally pick two or three at best, depending on the number of screens available. A major issue here is the absence of any star-studded film which would attract anybody. Most of the local releases this Eid are the kind of films which lost the audience's trust over the years. It doesn't mean that only star-studded films should be released in cinemas, but that the quality of said films must be taken into consideration. I doubt any Pakistani is thinking, "Oh man, I can't wait to watch the re-edited version of Half Fry" or "I am dying to watch Shahroz Sabzwari dance wearing an unbuttoned flowery shirt in the mountains." Eid release fixation Under the current precarious circumstances, it would be a miracle if any film stands out and reigns supreme this Eid. This also points to our obsession with releasing films over Eid. Twice a year, people flock to the cinemas and then, we wait for the rest of the year. This is the same (lack of) strategy that has caused this implosion in the industry. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it, once again, points to the idea that we don't trust our own films enough and have to rely on Eid, arguments in favour of reduced ticket prices, and blaming the audience for not supporting Pakistani cinema and a bag full of conspiracies to deflect from the fact that we produce half-baked, stylistically outdated films. Some major releases are slated for the next Eid and a few more films this summer. But after that, nothing until 2026. The desperation and panic has led to planning for the next year instead. Whatever happens, rest assured, this Eid could very well be a filler as we wait for the meat at the next.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
One Eid, 16 films, and Pakistani cinema's attempt at survival
A record 16 films are being released this Eidul Fitr in Pakistani cinemas. Among them are six Pakistani films, two Hollywood, three Indian Punjabi films and four foreign horror films from several countries. It's almost as if it's an attempt to break Kung Fu Panda's Po's record of holding as many dumplings in his mouth as he can. One reflects, scratch that, questions the choices we made along the way that led to this. The meme writes itself: someone(s) somewhere may have thought, 'How do we end this drought in cinemas?' and came up with the idea to release everything everywhere all at once.T he result isn't merely due to a lack of strategy, but a desperation to fill the void. With no tentpole films releasing this Eid, the game is quantity over quality. Once, our cinemas were alive. The screens weren't being shut down at a record pace; enough Indian and Hollywood films came through to sustain the ecosystem and allowed the local industry to keep running. But that was many moons ago. The tide has turned and washed away what we believed was a long-lasting state of flourish. Between hope and delusion Now to repopulate these urban Mohenjo Daro multiplexes, we are breaking the dams and letting the cinemas flood with films. But is throwing everything at the wall, hoping something would stick, a good strategy? With the number of screens almost halved since 2018, is it a good idea to divide the remaining even further by releasing half a year's slate on one holiday? I'd think twice before chasing this mirage. It's clear that the industry is in a panic mode and this attempt is just one more trick being pulled out of a magic hat to get the audience's attention. However, delusion dresses herself up like hope. And blind hope is as dangerous as despair. Look at the lineup of local films: Shaz Khan's The Martial Artist, Kabeer, Ishq-e-Lahore, Qulfee, Abu Aleeha's Half Fry, and Lambi Judai. Now add to it A Minecraft Movie, Disney's disastrous Snow White, Indian Punjabi films in Diljit Dosanjh's Sardaarji 2, Tenu Ghodi Kinney Chadaya, and Mithde, Bill Skarsgard-starrer Locked, Indonesia's Anak Kunti and Almarhum, Germany's The Bitter Taste, the re-release of the anthology Teri Meri Kahaniyaan and Carry on Jatta 3. One wonders, how many shows can each of these sixteen films land at just a little over 100 screens? It's highly likely, if not a certainty, that none of these sixteen films would turn a profit. It's not like we expected the Shahroz Sabzwari-starrer Qulfee to bring back audiences to cinemas anyway. But perhaps The Martial Artist could have, if marketed properly. The foreign horror stack is an experiment because the Indonesian film Sijjin made more than PKR50 million last year. At least we are now more open to films from other countries. Though, it would be wiser to spread them out instead of pile them up over Eid. As it stands, cinemas in Punjab are relying on Indian Punjabi films to carry them through the season. They have almost always done well and helped cinemas in the province sail through the storms. Carry on Jatta 3 made PKR30 million during its original run in 2023. However, that poses another problem. Citing the Mawra Hocane-starrer as an example, exhibitor Nadeem Mandviwalla said, 'Sanam Teri Kasam was a flop when it was released in 2016. The re-release made it successful. The films that have made money the first time around don't see much of an increase.' By re-releasing successful films at the same time as the new films, you divide the screens further until each film will play two shows and then disappear. Mandviwalla also agreed that it's not possible for cinemas to play all the films. They will naturally pick two or three at best, depending on the number of screens available. A major issue here is the absence of any star-studded film which would attract anybody. Most of the local releases this Eid are the kind of films which lost the audience's trust over the years. It doesn't mean that only star-studded films should be released in cinemas, but that the quality of said films must be taken into consideration. I doubt any Pakistani is thinking, 'Oh man, I can't wait to watch the re-edited version of Half Fry' or 'I am dying to watch Shahroz Sabzwari dance wearing an unbuttoned flowery shirt in the mountains.' Eid release fixation Under the current precarious circumstances, it would be a miracle if any film stands out and reigns supreme this Eid. This also points to our obsession with releasing films over Eid. Twice a year, people flock to the cinemas and then, we wait for the rest of the year. This is the same (lack of) strategy that has caused this implosion in the industry. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it, once again, points to the idea that we don't trust our own films enough and have to rely on Eid, arguments in favour of reduced ticket prices, and blaming the audience for not supporting Pakistani cinema and a bag full of conspiracies to deflect from the fact that we produce half-baked, stylistically outdated films. Some major releases are slated for the next Eid and a few more films this summer. But after that, nothing until 2026. The desperation and panic has led to planning for the next year instead. Whatever happens, rest assured, this Eid could very well be a filler as we wait for the meat at the next. Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
The Martial Artist' to hit North America, UK theatres on April 4
After being postponed due to the LA wildfires, Shaz Khan's The Martial Artist has finally locked a global release date. As per Variety, the film is set to hit theatres in North America and the UK on April 4, just after Eid. Meanwhile, the film is slated for a March 30 release in Pakistan and May 8 in the MENA region, with other global dates yet to be confirmed. Starring Shaz, Faran Tahir, and Sanam Saeed, the film follows the journey of a Pakistani-American MMA fighter who reconnects with his roots in order to defeat the obstacles weighing him down in his career. "MMA provided a compelling lens to explore these themes, especially given its global popularity yet relative absence in cinema," Shaz told Variety. "Beyond the familiar hero's journey of self-discovery and redemption, I saw an opportunity to weave in cultural reclamation and Eastern philosophy through the mentor archetype." Having directed and co-written the script with Michael Ross Albert, the Parwaaz Hai Junoon actor added that the film wishes to highlight that true mastery doesn't come from physical prowess but through self-exploration, be it in fighting or life in general. "This film is about more than MMA - it's about what happens when we strip everything away and confront who we really are," he said. "It's about honouring the past while forging a new path. It's about redemption, not through victory alone, but through understanding what truly matters." Shaz announced the film's postponement in January on Instagram. "Due to the tragic fires in Los Angeles and the circumstances surrounding them, The Martial Artist's release date is going to be pushed forward. We will share the new release date when it is locked. Thoughts and prayers to all those who are affected in these trying times," he wrote. The Moor actor added that he had attached a link to his bio that would redirect his followers to a Go Fund Me campaign for his friend Vince's family. "They suffered an unimaginable loss, losing their entire home and car in the fires. Vince and I have been friends since my Actors Studio days in New York. He was also instrumental in helping us with the edit of The Martial Artist." He expressed his gratitude to fans for their support towards him and the project. "Thank you all for your understanding and support for the past few months," he concluded.
