"Akram Khan is a unique documentarist...he interrogates MMA with the utmost thoughtfulness." Radio Times

"Akram Khan is repulsed by violence, but often portrays it in his choreography. In this intriguing film he confronts the blood-soaked masculinity of cage-fighting." The Sunday Times

 

Akram Khan, one of the worlds most acclaimed contemporary dancers and choreographers, is about to enter a very different arena: the world of mixed martial arts, or MMA. Although many of his dances depict acts of violence, in reality Akram is repelled by the idea of it. In this film he plunges into the ultra-masculine world of MMA, following three of Britains leading fighters “ Terry ˜The Dominator Brazier, Michael ˜Seabass Shipman, and Michael ˜Venom Page - as they prepare for career-defining fights at Wembley Arena. MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and Akram tries to understand the hold this violent spectacle has on us. As he becomes involved in the fighters training and learns more about their lives, hes forced to confront his own relationship with violence and the events that traumatised him as a teenager. Finally, Akram choreographs a special dance for one of the fighters walk-ins, presented in front of a baying crowd of thousands before the fighters head into the cage.