THE MOVING PICTURE BOY ARCHIVE

THE KUMITE

Title: The Kumite [pronounced koo-mee-teh; in karate, the term refers to a form of sparring against an opponent, which is also the basis for special tournaments.]
Year of release: 2009
Director: Chris Ireland
Country of Production: Ukraine
Principal Boy Actors: The boys are identified simply by their Christian names, and are not known to have acted in any other film.
Genre: Sport
Length: 47 min
Language: Ukrainian, some English. 
Availability: a digital file (1.55 GB) is available. The video can also be viewed on Youtube, in slightly poorer quality, and with the aspect ratio distorted between 17:10 and 31:50, here. English subtitles are hardsubbed into the video.

Synopsis
Maximus is the captain of a class of four Ukrainian boys who train to fight a class of four Russian boys at a kumite tournament.

Clearly an amateur production, and very low budget, though surprisingly engaging. The skills on display seem authentic, so the boys were presumably selected on the basis of their being genuine karatekas.

Screenshots