FIghter: THE LEGEND OF A MUAY THAI BOXER

*Selected for the National Geographic Short Film Showcase*

Story

Thailand’s old Muay Thai fighters struggle to preserve their traditional martial art as the nation’s culture continues to be more commercialised.

Wisarut Wat Suksiriwararak is an old Muay Thai fighter from Pai in Northern Thailand. He fought in bouts all around Thailand up until his retirement in 1992. 



He now runs his own gym in Pai, passing down his knowledge of Thailand’s traditional martial art to both locals and visitors from around the world.



However, over the past few decades, authentic practices of Muay Thai have slowly being fading away changing as Thailand’s culture has become increasingly commercialised.



With a growing impetus on financial incentives and entertainment, is this historic martial art beginning to move away from its proud heritage?

Filming

I shot this film whilst living in Pai, Thailand for 3 months between February and April 2017. The small town in the mountains has long been one of my favourite places in the world and it was great to make a film which helped showcase it’s beauty.