FIGHTER

Directed By Natasha Arthy

Review By Tiffany Cooper

How do you discover what you want from life without losing those that you love?  How do you learn what trust, hope, and pursuing your dream means? A 17 year-old girl born in Denmark with a Middle Eastern heritage is the vehicle Natasha Arthy uses to explore these powerful questions.

Aicha (the leading character) learns that the rules of life are not as simple as the rules of the martial arts. Her choices have enormous consequences, not only for her but her whole family. Unable to control her temper and ambitions, she is kicked out of the all girls club.

Aicha soon finds a club that trains men and women at an elite level. And the Chinese King Fu master, Shi fu, decides to give her a chance. But this means training with boys, something her parents would never allow. Yet, she defies her parents’ ban and starts training professionally in the Kung Fu club, where she meets the Danish character, Emil. Aicha and Emil eventually fall in love, but their cultural differences come between them.

The difference between this film and other “falling in love from different background” films is that the love scenes involve martial arts instead of awkward sex scenes, which makes it more interesting. One of the great success’ of The Fighter is that sexual attraction is not utilized as a tool to capture audiences or popularize the plot.

The one thing I loved about this film was is its exploration on a deeper level … about how it is important that to be able to feel what is right for you, and how important it is to be aware that the choices one makes or doesn’t make can and will affect others.  You have responsibility no matter what you decide to do. Facing the darker side is never pretty.

So, I ask again, how do you discover what you want from life without losing those that you love? I’m still thinking about my answer. How do you choose to answer?