Lithuania-Taiwan Co-Production China Sea Explores Redemption Through Martial Arts

A new film from Lithuania is making waves internationally. “China Sea” premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. It just won the Critics’ Picks Competition award.

The movie is the first-ever co-production between Lithuania and Taiwan. It tells a gritty story of a disgraced fighter seeking a second chance.

Inspired by a Real-Life Controversial Fighter

The story draws from the life of a real Lithuanian martial artist. He was a superstar in Asia during the early 2000s. At home, he was known for his violent behavior.

Director Jurgis Matulevičius was initially approached for a biopic. He rejected the idea of simply praising the controversial figure. Instead, he and writer Saulė Bliuvaitė crafted a fictional narrative.

They combined this with another observed story. They were fascinated by an isolated Asian man running a restaurant in Vilnius. The film explores the connection between these two isolated lives.

A Story of Isolation and the Struggle to Change

The protagonist, Osvald, is banned from fighting after a violent incident. He finds refuge in a Taiwanese restaurant owned by his friend, Ju-Long. Court-ordered therapy introduces him to a woman named Skaistė.

She offers him a glimpse of a different, softer life. However, his violent past constantly threatens to pull him back. He is forced to choose between redemption and self-destruction.

The film delves into themes of toxic masculinity. The director describes a man with an adult body but a teenage mindset. He only knows how to express himself through anger and violence.

The film “China Sea” presents a powerful and unflinching look at the difficult path toward personal change, proving that even the roughest seas can be crossed with resilience.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Is China Sea based on a true story?

The film is inspired by a real Lithuanian kickboxing champion. It blends his controversial story with fictional elements about an immigrant family.

Q2: Who stars in the film China Sea?

The lead role is played by Marius Repšys. The cast also includes Taiwanese actors Jag Huang from “Life of Pi” and Sonia Yuan from “Drive My Car.”

Q3: What is the meaning behind the title China Sea?

The title is a metaphor for a huge, challenging obstacle one must overcome. It represents the difficult journey to reach a better place in life.

Q4: Where did China Sea premiere?

The film had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. It won the festival’s Critics’ Picks Competition.

Q5: What was the most difficult scene to film?

The most technically challenging was an “ice scene” filmed on a frozen lake. Actors were tethered with safety strings that required months of digital removal.