The Transformative Learning Centre of OISE-UT presents

2009-2010

University of Toronto

The TMA Film Series is a more-or-less monthly screening of unique martial arts movies that go deeper and wider than standard chop-socky action flicks. A followup to the acclaimed TMA workshop series of summer 2008, the film series is intended to provide a stimulating and entertaining environment to ponder and discuss transformative potentials for the martial arts. Whether you are practicing a particular system, contemplating taking up a practice, simply interested in the issues raised by (and within) the martial arts, or just looking for an interesting time, you are invited to come along.

All films are will be shown on Friday afternoons, 3-5pm, providing a great way to de-stress after the workweek and jump-start a re-creative weekend. Films for the fall season have been booked, but we are open to suggestions for films in the new year.

OISE-UT, 252 Bloor St. W.

(directly above the St. George subway station)

FREE admission

Friday March 26, 2010

Dean’s Board Room, 12th Floor, OISE-UT, 252 Bloor St. W. (directly above the St. George subway station) "Ghost Dog is simply one of the coolest movies to come down the pike in years." --eFilmCritic.com "...It reminded me how vibrantly original an honest-to-God independent film can be." --Cincinnati Enquirer "Forest Whitaker carries the movie. His subdued, expressive performance is nothing short of amazing." --Eugene Novikov, Film Blather "My fave martial arts film is Ghost Dog." --Tai Chi Master Sam Masich

Jim Jarmusch's 1999 Classic

"No other filmmaker has made such a bold statement about the parallels of societal violence that exist between cultures, whether Ancient Eastern, Mafioso, or Urban gangster. Fans of any of the three genres will be sure to enjoy this one."

--Athan Bezaitis - Filmcritic.com

discussion to follow, all are welcome to participate

Jim Jarmusch's spiritual gangster film tells the story of an inner-city hit man who lives on a rooftop, training himself as a samurai in the strictest sense. Forest Whitaker plays Ghost Dog, samurai disciple, carrier pigeon keeper, and for ten years the devoted retainer to an aging mafia foot soldier named Louie (John Tormey). When one of Ghost Dog's contract murders goes wrong — the don's daughter Louise (Tricia Vessey) is a witness — her father, Vargo (Henry Silva), decides that to save face, he must have the killer "neutralized." The rest of the film follows Ghost Dog's calculated efforts to survive, as he takes out the gang members while attempting to maintain his ceremonious, mutually respectful relationship with Louie. The film's acclaimed score and soundtrack was produced by the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA.

Film Trailer

Wikipedia on Ghost Dog

Interview with actor Forest Whitaker

Friday April 30, 2010

Dean’s Board Room,

12th Floor, OISE-UT, 252 Bloor St. W.

(directly above the St. George subway station)

"Jon Brailey has yet again done a terrific job with The Empty Mind

in bringing the philosophical and psychological side of the far east to

us in this terrific film showcasing some of the top masters of the

martial arts. Names like Ueshiba, Kanazawa, Okazaki and many more

show the art the way it is meant to be practised. Hats off to yet

another fabulous film I enjoyed from the beginning to the end."

--Don Warrener

"I saw The Empty Mind and I was very impressed.  It was excellent." 

--Gene Ching, Asst. Publisher, Kung Fu/Tai Chi Magazine.

discussion to follow,

all are welcome to participate

 
One of the best introductions to martial arts from an 'internal' perspective, this documentary tour de force travels
across China and Japan to provide revealing and often exciting glimpses into some of the best practitioners of
karate, kendo, aikido, Shaolin kung-fu, tai chi, and qigong. Besides giving us access to storied locations like 
Shaolin Temple, Wudang Mountain, and Japan's Budokan, the film showcases some of the Asian arts' top masters
including Moriteru Ueshiba, Masahiko Tanaka, Masao Kagawa, Monk Shi De Yang… and many more. Written and
directed by Jon Braeley, the film also features a haunting soundtrack by Richard Brookens (Yellowbell).
 
Film Trailer
Empty Mind Films website

TMA Articles & Links

Roxana Ng, "Embodied Pedagogy as Transformative Learning: A Critical Reflection," Proceedings, Canadian Association for the Studies of Adult Education (CASAE) 24th Annual Conference, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, May 28 to May 31, 2005

Lang Liu, A Very Brief History of Capoeira

Ann Phillips in Vitality magazine: “Classical Martial Arts: An Eastern Inspired Path to Wellness and Empowerment”

Brian's Internal Martial Arts Webpage

See Previous TMA Film Screenings

To TLC Website