Link:
http://www.thesenseimovie.comLast night I saw "The Sensei." This low-budget, independent movie was nearly as devastating and thought-provoking as "Brokeback Mountain."
At first, the plot seems like a "gay Karate Kid": In a small Colorado town in 1985, a young gay man, McClain, suffers in isolation. Though only 17, he already had lost a boyfriend to suicide - no doubt caused by anti-gay prejudice and harassment. Wanting to fend off bullies, McClain visits the local dojo, but the owner gives him the run-around and won't let him join. Then one day after school, the town thugs viciously attack McClain, landing him in the hospital. Two classmates witnessed the beating, but didn't try to stop it - out of fear for their own lives. McClain's mother contacts Karen, the sister of the martial arts school leaders (an expert martial artist in her own right), and works out an under-the-table deal to give McClain lessons in self-defense.
From there, the plot takes a different turn. Reacting to the AIDS epidemic, the pastor at the church offers up an anti-gay sermon on Easter Sunday, fanning the flames of hate. McClain learns martial arts quickly; soon, the town erupts in rumors when he uses his newly-learned skills to defend a classmate from bullies. Conflicts erupt in Karen's family as her modern feminist and pro-gay values clash with their old, patriarchal ways. The town thugs, under court order to stay away from McClain, direct their violence and intimidation toward Karen's family.
What's special about this movie is that in addition to the obvious results of physical violence, it honestly depicts the spiritual violence that occurs when a person is shunned from their family, community, or faith. Religious leaders face conflict - within themselves or with each other - about how they treat gay people; religion can become a source of compassion or oppression. It also shows a believable portrayal of straight characters who are forced by their life circumstances to overcome their homophobia, and eventually become allies of the gay community.
Martial arts are presented differently in "The Sensei" than in most movies. Rather than being a 'beat-'em-up' action film, in this story McClain and his
sensei (teacher) fight only when they must. Fighting scenes depict realistic self-defense situations; there are no wire-fu or high-kicking stunts. Rather than seeking violent revenge, they allow the authorities to bring justice to the thugs.
