Hong Kong-based boutique studio Salty Footage has revealed its subsequent characteristic mission, 8 Limbed Dragon, a martial arts motion drama starring Chinese language UFC fighter Jingliang “The Leech” Li in his performing debut. The mission was unveiled Friday on the Cannes market, the place The Leech is at the moment attending the 78th version of the competition.
Impressed by Gao Tixia’s non-fiction novella Sheng Si Quan Dou and parts of Li’s personal life story, 8 Limbed Dragon follows a Chinese language sanda kickboxer who travels to Bangkok seeking a deeper mastery of martial arts. There, he comes beneath the tutelage of “Previous Dragon,” a former Muay Thai champion with just one eye — a loss the aged fighter counts because the pure value of successful. The movie’s title references the eight “limbs,” or putting factors, of Muay Thai — two fists, ft, knees, and elbows — thought to be the self-discipline’s signature.
Manufacturing is slated to start later this 12 months in Thailand, with Cod Satrusayang (producer of A Helpful Ghost, exhibiting in Cannes’ Critics’ Week part this 12 months) and Desmond O’Neill (Cave Rescue) hooked up to co-produce.
Li, who was born in Xinjiang and transitioned from wrestling to sanda earlier than rising to prominence in blended martial arts, grew to become a world title in 2014 when he knocked out David Michaud in his UFC debut. In an announcement from Cannes, he framed the movie as an extension of his combating journey. “Having loved each wins and losses all through my profession, I’ve a way that my expertise isn’t distinctive to me,” he stated. “Anybody who has struggled and strived for his or her objectives or their household are all like me. By way of this movie, I hope that folks will discover a connection to their coronary heart and be capable of stroll extra steadily alongside the trail of life.”
Salty Footage is led by Jonah Greenberg, former head of CAA China. In backing 8 Limbed Dragon, the studio goals to merge genuine MMA tradition with dramatic storytelling. “8 Limbed Dragon is a fascinating, action-packed ode to the roots of MMA, with The Leech bringing each authenticity via his personal private journey and experiences as a fighter to his large display screen debut,” Greenberg explains. “A movie with each human drama and a celebration of this beautiful type of martial artwork – we’re assured 8 Limbed Dragon might be a memorable debut.”