A legendary Chinese warrior's stolen sword becomes the centerpiece of intertwining love stories in Ang Lee’s epic masterpiece – the second film we’re bringing back to the big screen as part of the BFI’s Art of Action season. Join us for a taste of real martial arts, with a kickboxing demonstration from A.K.A Orkney before the film on Thursday evening!

Set against 19th-century China’s breathtaking landscape, two master warriors are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. As each warrior battles for justice, they come face to face with their worst enemy- and the inescapable, enduring power of love.

Named one of the 10 best movies of the millennium by Time Magazine, Ang Lee’s four-time Academy Award®-winning masterpiece is a timeless, action-packed, box office smash, featuring stunning martial arts choreography by Yuen Wo Ping, and starring Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Chen Chang and Zhang Ziyi.

More than a breathtaking martial arts film, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is a tragic romance and a touchstone of female empowerment. Screening as part of the BFI’s Art of Action season, which celebrates the artistry of real action choreography and the extraordinary on-screen exploits that have kept film audiences on the edge of their seats since the early days of cinema.

The Kickboxing demonstration will start at 1930 and last 10-15 minutes. Here's what to expect:

A.K.A Orkney is a Kickboxing Club based in Hatston. We teach Kickboxing for 4 years olds all the way to adults on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a sparring class on Fridays for those interested in competing.

Kickboxing is a fairly modern martial art originating in the 1960s in USA and is essentially a blend of karate and boxing. Sensei means teacher in Japanese and this is what students call the Kickboxing instructor.

At Kickboxing students work on their fitness, flexibility and technique working their way through the belt system from white belt to black belt, a process which takes several years.

There are two types of sparring practiced at A.K.A Orkney, these are Points Fighting which is based on a karate style side stance and points are awarded for kicks and punches with the fight being reset after every exchange and Continuous Fighting which is more like boxing with kicks.

The demonstration will involve some beginner pad work, advanced kicking drills followed by a short sparring demonstration.

Amy Golder
3rd Dan Black Belt
Head Instructor of A.K.A Orkney