This one is a black and white documentary that follows a martial arts competition from at least the 70s, if not earlier. I believe the competition takes place in Japan, and it follows several of the fighters and shows them training and their respective dojo or whatever.
I think the title had the word 'Harlem' in it, could be wrong, the most extensive coverage was of a dojo in Harlem run by one of the American competitors. They showed one of his students getting his black belt test, it was very brutal, he was basically beaten by everyone in the dojo one at a time until he couldn't stand anymore. But he got up many times, you could tell he was doing something remarkable just by getting on his feet over and over, it was a bit hard to watch.
But the best part is that they showed the actual fights, and they were quite short. Whenever a knock-out blow was delivered they would freeze the image at the moment of contact so you wouldn't see the aftermath, it was very distinctive. The setting was just a flat mat in a small stadium seating arena, IIRC.
In the end I believe two Japanese fighters competed for the title and the favorite won. His part of the documentary was very impressive, beautiful temple where he hauled giant stones or something like that.
I'd love to watch it again but I can't find the name!
I think the title had the word 'Harlem' in it, could be wrong, the most extensive coverage was of a dojo in Harlem run by one of the American competitors. They showed one of his students getting his black belt test, it was very brutal, he was basically beaten by everyone in the dojo one at a time until he couldn't stand anymore. But he got up many times, you could tell he was doing something remarkable just by getting on his feet over and over, it was a bit hard to watch.
But the best part is that they showed the actual fights, and they were quite short. Whenever a knock-out blow was delivered they would freeze the image at the moment of contact so you wouldn't see the aftermath, it was very distinctive. The setting was just a flat mat in a small stadium seating arena, IIRC.
In the end I believe two Japanese fighters competed for the title and the favorite won. His part of the documentary was very impressive, beautiful temple where he hauled giant stones or something like that.
I'd love to watch it again but I can't find the name!
