`Paramui Paito (Fighter in the Wind)" is based on the events in the life of legendary Korean martial artist Choi Bae-dal. Or more precisely, the film is based on the comic book based on the martial artist's life _ a difference that can be felt throughout this entertaining but factually suspect movie.
The first of a handful of local films about famous Koreans who lived during the Japanese occupation period, "Fighter in the Wind" tells of the early part of Choi's life, how he sneaked into Japan in the late 1930s in hopes of becoming a pilot, joined the martial arts community there, and after training by himself in the mountains for 18 months, came down to become the top fighter of that country.
The film offers a seemingly sentimentalized version of the same story, especially playing up the outsider aspect of Choi's experiences, of his being a Korean in Japanese society. Given the story's xenophobic elements, which include evil yakuzas exploiting Koreans, it will be interesting to see how a Japanese audience responds to the film when it gets released there as planned. (The picture painted of U.S. soldiers isn't very pretty either, to say the least.)
"Fighter's" best moments hint at the moral complexity of films like "Raging Bull", Martin Scorcese's boxing masterpiece. At first, Choi's motivation to become Japan's best fighter seems to be connected to righting injustices felt by Koreans in Japan, but as he travels to martial arts schools enduring punishment after punishment, it becomes less clear as to what he is trying to prove.
But such insights are all too brief in the film, which is so heavy on the melodrama and action that it's difficult to take too seriously. By the end, the story resembles a kung fu film from Hong Kong, complete with a geisha girlfriend (Ara Hirayama), who tries to turn Choi into a lover not a fighter, and elder statesmen of the Japanese martial arts community who will go to any lengths to keep a Korean from becoming Japan's best. It's not the most inventive of plots, but the film keeps it entertaining throughout.
Singer and actor Bi (Rain) was initially cast for the lead role of Choi but had to pull out due to schedule conflicts. It's a good thing too, for the rail-thin pop singer wouldn't have been able to take the physical punishment the role required.
Instead, we get Yang Dong-geun, a burly actor who plays the part to near perfection. It's refreshing to see this young and talented actor take on a substantial role for a change, and he brings to "Fighter" the necessary savagery and physical presence to make it work.
English 
US$5 off (order min. US$5)
