JCCC Movie Night: High Kick Girl July 29, 2010

“High Kick Girl is ‘a breath of fresh air in the martial arts film world. There aren’t a lot of films that depict Karate in its true form, and this one tries its hardest to do so, distilling some of its philosophies down to a fine point. And that’s usually followed up by a swift kick to the head’”. Matthew Hardcastle, Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow
In Fuyuhiko Nishi’s 2010 film, a high-school girl named Kei Tsuchida (played by Rina Takeda) joins a karate dojo. Kei is born with extraordinary athletic ability and she quickly outshines the boys. Her status in the dojo rises quickly as her abilities and strength helps her to even defeat men. Despite her accomplishments, the master Matsumura does not award her the coveted black belt. It is clear that Kei always plays to win and only cares about kumite (fighting). Matsumura tries to teach Kei that Karate is about more than just fighting and that "the real strength is in the kata". Kei grows impatient. She feels that she possesses the skills and deserves her black belt. Kei will do whatever she has to do to get it.
Kei's resentment towards Matsumura grows. She decides to join a rival fighting group called Kowashiya (Destroyers) at the advice of her boyfriend. Kowashiya will allow her to use her fighting skills and to earn money doing so.The leader of Kowashiya lures fighters who are struggling for money as there is no guarantee of a promised future, fame, money or stability for fighters like them. Kei becomes deeply involved with Kowashiya until one day she discovers the true purpose of the leader of Kowashiya. He is planning an attack on her master Matsumura.
Kei is shocked and decides to warn Matsumura. But now, it is too late. The elite fighters of Kowashiya kidnap Kei and are on their way to destroy Matsumura. Matsumura, who never fights in front of Kei, now stands to save Kei. At last, the ultimate fight begins...

Date: Thursday July 29, 2010
Time: 7:00pm
Admission: $ 6 JCCC members, $8 non-members

Official Website: http://www.jccc.on.ca/calendar/view_entry.php?id=372&date=20100729