Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath - How a Tribute to a Late Brother Became a Martial Arts Masterpiece

Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath - A Short Film Review

If you are a fan of martial arts, fantasy, and action films, you might be interested in watching Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath, a short film directed by Harold Bridgeforth. This film tells the story of a young man who is pursued by an organization in search of a hidden power he possesses. In this article, we will review the film and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.

Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath

Introduction

What is Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath?

Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath is a short film that was released in 2016. It is an independent production by Elephant at the Bridge Films and Hcapture. The film is inspired by video games such as Tekken and Street Fighter, as well as anime and manga such as Naruto and Dragon Ball Z. The film is also a tribute to Harold Bridgeforth's late brother, who was a martial artist and a fan of these genres.

Who are the main characters and actors?

The film features three main characters: Kiyoshi Hara, Arthur, and Raslosky. Kiyoshi Hara is played by Ronnie Quillen, who is a martial artist and stunt performer. He is the protagonist of the film, who has a mysterious power that allows him to manipulate energy. Arthur is played by Harold Bridgeforth himself, who is also the director, writer, producer, stunt coordinator, and casting director of the film. He is an agent of an organization that wants to capture Kiyoshi and use his power for their own purposes. Raslosky is played by Val Rich, who is an actor and musician. He is another agent of the organization, who works with Arthur to hunt down Kiyoshi.

What is the plot and theme of the film?

The plot of the film is simple and straightforward. Kiyoshi is on the run from Arthur and Raslosky, who are chasing him through various locations such as a park, a street, a warehouse, and a rooftop. Along the way, Kiyoshi fights back using his martial arts skills and his energy blasts. The film ends with a cliffhanger that suggests a sequel or a series. The theme of the film is about finding one's identity and destiny in a world that is hostile and oppressive.

Analysis

What are the strengths of the film?

The action scenes

The action scenes are undoubtedly the highlight of the film. They are well-choreographed, well-shot, well-edited, and well-executed by the actors and stunt performers. The fight sequences are fast-paced, dynamic, and exciting, showcasing various styles of martial arts such as karate, taekwondo, kung fu, capoeira, and muay thai. The energy blasts are also impressive, using CGI effects that look realistic and powerful. The action scenes are comparable to those seen in Hollywood or Asian films with bigger budgets and resources.

The cinematography and editing

The cinematography and editing of the film are also commendable, considering that it was made by an independent team with limited equipment and crew. The camera angles, movements, lighting, color grading, transitions, and cuts are all well-done, creating a cinematic and immersive experience for the viewers. The film uses a variety of shots, such as wide shots, close-ups, tracking shots, handheld shots, and drone shots, to capture the action and the scenery. The film also uses slow motion, fast forward, freeze frame, and reverse effects to enhance the impact and emotion of the scenes.

The music and sound effects

The music and sound effects of the film are also effective, adding to the mood and atmosphere of the film. The film uses a mix of original and licensed music, ranging from rock, metal, hip hop, electronic, and orchestral genres. The music matches the tone and tempo of the scenes, creating a sense of tension, suspense, excitement, and drama. The sound effects are also realistic and clear, such as the punches, kicks, grunts, explosions, and energy blasts.

What are the weaknesses of the film?

The dialogue and acting

The dialogue and acting of the film are arguably the weakest aspects of the film. The dialogue is minimal and mostly consists of one-liners, taunts, threats, and exclamations. The dialogue is also clichéd and cheesy, lacking originality and depth. The acting is also mediocre and inconsistent, ranging from wooden to over-the-top. The actors do not convey much emotion or expression in their faces or voices, making it hard to connect with or care about their characters.

The story and character development

The story and character development of the film are also lacking, leaving many questions unanswered and many potentials unexplored. The film does not explain much about the background, motivation, or goal of the characters or the organization. The film also does not show much growth or change in the characters or their relationships. The film relies heavily on action and spectacle, rather than on plot and character.

The length and pacing

The length and pacing of the film are also problematic, making it feel either too short or too long. The film is only 15 minutes long, which is not enough time to develop a compelling story or character arc. The film also feels rushed and abrupt, jumping from one scene to another without much transition or buildup. On the other hand, the film also feels repetitive and dragged out, showing too many similar scenes of Kiyoshi running away from Arthur and Raslosky without much variation or progression.

Conclusion

What is the overall impression of the film?

The overall impression of the film is that it is a fun and entertaining watch for fans of action and fantasy genres. The film showcases impressive action scenes, cinematography, editing, music, and sound effects that are comparable to bigger productions. The film also pays homage to popular video games and anime that influenced its style and theme. However, the film also suffers from weak dialogue, acting, story, character development, length, and pacing that prevent it from being a great or memorable film. The film could have been improved by having more originality, depth, emotion, and coherence in its script and performance.

Who is the target audience of the film?

The target audience of the film is mainly young adults who enjoy martial arts, fantasy, and action films. The film appeals to this demographic by featuring elements that they are familiar with or interested in such as video games, anime, manga, superheroes, sci-fi, etc. The film also caters to this audience by having a fast-paced and energetic tone that keeps them engaged and entertained.

Where can people watch the film?

People can watch the film on YouTube or Vimeo where it is available for free. The film has received over 1000 views on YouTube since its release in 2016. The film has also received positive feedback from some viewers who praised its action scenes and production quality. However, the film has also received negative feedback from some viewers who criticized its dialogue and acting.

# FAQs - Q: Is Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath based on a true story? - A: No, Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath is a fictional story that was inspired by video games such as Tekken and Street Fighter. - Q: Is Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath part of a series or a franchise? - A: No, Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath is a standalone short film that was made as a tribute to Harold Bridgeforth's late brother. - Q: How did Harold Bridgeforth make Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath? - A: Harold Bridgeforth made Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath with his own independent production company called Elephant at the Bridge Films. He wrote, directed, produced, casted, and performed in the film with the help of his friends # FAQs (continued) - Q: How did Harold Bridgeforth make Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath? - A: Harold Bridgeforth made Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath with his own independent production company called Elephant at the Bridge Films. He wrote, directed, produced, casted, and performed in the film with the help of his friends and collaborators. He also used his own equipment and locations to shoot the film. He spent about two years working on the film from pre-production to post-production. - Q: What is the meaning of the title Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath? - A: The title Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath refers to the name of the main character and the theme of the film. Kiyoshi is a Japanese name that means "pure" or "clear". It also sounds similar to "ki", which is a term for life force or energy in some Asian cultures. Fate's wrath is a phrase that implies that Kiyoshi is destined to face challenges and dangers because of his power and identity. - Q: Will there be a sequel or a series for Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath? - A: There is no official confirmation or announcement for a sequel or a series for Kiyoshi: Fates Wrath. However, the film ends with a cliffhanger that suggests that there is more to the story and the characters. Harold Bridgeforth has also expressed his interest and intention to continue the project in the future if he gets enough support and resources. 71b2f0854b