Redbelt (2008) - Dark Horizons

Redbelt

May 9th 2008

Drama/Action, R, 93mins, Sony Pictures Classics

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Randy Couture, Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna, Emily Mortimer, David Paymer, Rebecca Pidgeon, Rodrigo Santoro, Ray Mancini, Cathy Cahlin Ryan, Max Martini, Cyril Takayama, John Machado, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Enson Inoue

Director: David Mamet
Writer: David Mamet
Producer: Chrisann Verges
Art Direction: Ray Yamagata
Casting: Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas
Costume Design: Debra McGuire
D.O.P.: Robert Elswit
Editor: Barbara Tulliver
Make-Up: Suzanne Diaz
Music: Stephen Endelman
Production Design: David Wasco
Set Decoration: Sandy Reynolds-Wasco

Storyline

Set in the west-side Los Angeles fight world, a world inhabited by bouncers, cage-fighters, cops, and special forces types, "Redbelt" is the story of Mike Terry (Chewitel Ejiofor), a Jiu-jitsu master who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing to instead pursue an honorable life by operating a self defense studio with a samaurai's code.

Terry and his wife Sondra (Alice Braga) struggle to keep the business running to make ends meet. An accident on a dark, rainy night at the Academy between an off duty officer (Max Martini) and a distraught lawyer (Emily Mortimer) puts in motion a series of events that will change Terry's life dramatically introducing him to a world of promoters (Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna) and movie stars (Tim Allen). Faced with this, in order to pay off his debts and regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life.

Basic Information

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Cinematographic Process: Super 35
Filming Locations: Los Angeles, USA
Film Negative Format: 35mm
MPAA Warning: Strong Language
Production Budget: $10 million
Production Schedule: June 2007 - July 2007
Web Sites: Official Site - The IMDb

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Trivia

- David Mamet has earned the rank of purple belt under the tutelage of Renato Magno, who also served as the film's jiu-jitsu consultant.

- Mamet has described Redbelt as a samurai film in the tradition of Kurosawa.

- Mamet employed the resources of several members of the MMA community in the making of the film; Randy Couture and Enson Inoue have acting roles in the film, as does Jean Jacques Machado's brother John Machado who also planned some of the fight choreography.

- Mamet said he was interested in casting Chiwetel Ejiofor for his acting versatility after seeing his performances in Dirty Pretty Things and Kinky Boots, saying "It's impossible for one guy to be able to play both those parts." .