Empty Mind Films

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THE EMPTY MIND [Original Release]

The original release on sale at a huge discount - This offer will not last long. We have a very limited supply left of the The Empty Mind DVD release with the original artwork. Considered by the media and our customers as THE MARTIAL ARTS CLASSIC DOCUMENTARY. This will never be repeated.

Read the editor's review from Black Belt Magazine, April 2010.

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This has become in a few short years a must-have classic martial arts movie. It is a journey across Asia from Japan to China to document the Martial Arts in their natural setting – the training hall or dojo. Join us as we travel from the Shaolin Temple and Wudang Mountain to the Budokan of Japan to explore the essence and the spirit of traditional martial training. Over two years in the making, this is an epic account of today’s greatest martial arts masters featuring Moriteru Ueshiba, Masahiko Tanaka, Masao Kagawa, Monk Shi De Yang… and many more. In depth interviews and unrestricted filming of their teaching allows you to fully understand how teacher and student are forging a bond that will last a lifetime.

We take you inside the Aikido Headquarters in Japan and to the JKA and the JKS Shotokan Karate Honbu Dojos. Sit ringside at the World Kendo Championships in the Budokan and witness the power of Bushido through a modern sport. Understand how China gave birth to martial arts and the connection to modern Japanese budo arts. Through interviews and intimate filming of their daily training, you will experience the philosophical and physical elements that unite all great masters of the martial arts. We show you why the mind-body connection plays such an important role not only in martial arts, but in your daily life. In this sense, The Empty Mind is not just for martial artists, but for anyone who wishes to improve themselves both spiritually and physically. A fusion of martial arts, music and documentary storytelling that was two years in the making. Featuring: Moriteru Ueshiba, Masahiko Tanaka, Masao Kagawa, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Teruyuki Okazaki, Monk Shi DeYang, Monk Shi DeRu, Master Zhang Shengli, Master Yuan, Master Zhong, AJKF Kendo and the ANKF Kyudo Federations. DVD includes bonus interviews and action. Written and directed by Jon Braeley. Music by Richard Brookens (Yellowbell). Length: 80 mins. Includes bonus feature tracks with interviews. Completely remastered in 2010 with a 5.1 Dolby surround sound mix and stunning new color grade.

Below is a reprint of the editorial column from Black Belt Magazine, the largest circulation of any Martial Arts publication. This is not just a review but an unsolicated story by the executive editor, which we at Empty Mind Films only discovered when picked up a copy the magazine!

BLACK BELT MAGAZINE, April 2010. by Robert W. Young, executive Editor, Black Belt.

Every now and then you round a corner in life and get smacked in the face by a couple of ideas or products that share a common theme. In my case, it was a pair of DVD’s one of which is titled, The Empty Mind: The Spirit and Philosophy of Martial Arts. Some might say it was serendipity that brought them to my desk on the same day, but I prefer to think it was more mundane: The Martial Arts have come of age!

I’ll talk about The Empty Mind first. Several weeks ago, a Kenpo black belt named James Bennett dropped off the DVD for me to watch. I asked him if it was another one of those amateur efforts. He insisted it wasn’t. So I gave it a look. I must say I was impressed. It certainly wasn’t a collection of home movies. It is a coherent production that was professionally filmed in Japan and China. Crafted by Jon Braeley, of Empty Mind Films, it profiles practitioners of Aikido, Karate, Kendo, Kyudo, Shaolin Kingfu, Tai Chi and Wushu as they plied their trade in the dojo and at tournaments. The styles were presented as artistic endeavors that steel the character and build the body no matter what age the student. The production was proof positive that filmmakers now view the martial arts as legitimate pursuits that are worthy of the finest documentary treatment. This could be shown on the National Geographic Channel tonight and no one would suspect that it was not a multi-million dollar project helmed by Hollywood heavyweights. On a more personal note, this documentary rekindled my fire for the Asian ways of combat. In this age of mixed martial arts, when all that matters is the destination, this film reinforces the notion that in life it’s the journey that really counts.

Robert W. Young, executive Editor, Black Belt.

UPC:

689076786423

Language:

English (Subtitles)

Run Time:

78 Minutes plus bonus

Format:

Standard DVD (Letterbox widescreen)

Audio:

Dolby Digital

Region:

Worldwide