🔥 Breaking Down the Action: The Fight Sequence from The Man from Kathmandu 🥋🎬

Action is more than just movement—it’s storytelling through physical performance, rhythm, and camera work. In The Man from Kathmandu, one of the most intense sequences was designed with these principles in mind. This fight, featuring fast-paced choreography and grounded, hard-hitting action, stands as a testament to the effort and collaboration behind the scenes.

The camera was operated by Angel Vazquez, capturing the movement and intensity up close, while stunt performers Dani Medina, Kawui Yoa, and Pema Lama brought their own styles and energy to the scene. As both an actor and action performer, I, José Manuel, took on the challenge of not only starring in the fight but also directing and editing it.

⚔️ Crafting the Fight

Before stepping onto set, we developed a previs (pre-visualization) to map out the choreography, camera angles, and pacing. This was essential in making sure the sequence flowed naturally while allowing for improvisation where needed.

The fight itself is built on dynamic exchanges—each move leading naturally into the next, keeping the action fluid yet impactful. The performers’ styles blend together in a way that feels authentic while maintaining clarity in movement. Rather than relying on excessive cuts, the camera work keeps the action readable, allowing the audience to feel every hit.

🎥 Directing the Action

As a director, my focus was on making sure the fight told a story. Every punch, block, and takedown had to serve a purpose—whether it was raising the stakes, revealing something about the characters, or simply building tension. The goal was to make the action engaging without losing sight of the narrative.

Editing was another crucial step. The rhythm of a fight scene is just as important as the choreography itself. I worked to refine the pacing, ensuring that each impact had weight and that the sequence flowed naturally from one exchange to the next.

🥊 A Dedication to Martial Arts Filmmaking

This fight sequence represents my approach to action filmmaking—where precision, performance, and storytelling all come together. It’s not just about the techniques used but about how they’re presented and how they contribute to the overall film.

For those who appreciate martial arts cinema, this scene is a small glimpse into the dedication and effort that goes into crafting great action. Watch the full sequence here and let me know your thoughts!