Actress, writer and producer Isabel Lamers is on a mission to bring representation to the big screen with independent martial arts drama, Filipino Karate Kid. She has a Kickstarter campaign already underway for the project which went up a few weeks ago and thus, has about a few weeks left as of this write up.
Half-Filipina Nia craves to belong ever since she left the Philippines as a teen. When she discovers a local Filipino martial arts gym, where as a Kickboxer she hopes to finally fit in, but not under the watch of queen pin gym-owner Angel who worked hard to be in the position she is now. With the help of outcast FMA fighter, Malic, Nia trains FMA to prove herself to Angel, as well as to herself that she is indeed “Filipino enough”. At the same time, her superficial wanna-be upper class mother tries everything to make Nia the trophy “white” daughter that will lift her social standing – and Nia does everything to comply, hoping that her mother will eventually accept her as Filipina one day.
Ultimately, however, Nia realizes that by constantly trying to fit in she can only lose, and that accepting herself and her mixed heritage fully is the only way to succeed. She comes to see her bi-racial background as a strength not a barrier. In her final fight, Nia becomes fed up trying to fit in while Angel herself does not stick to the rules she set out for Nia. Nia employs her kick boxing skills to tie with Angel.
Has Nia proved herself or offended Angel? Will she get to join the team or does she not aim for that anymore? I guess to find out we will have to make this proof of concept a reality so we can apply for funding for a longer feature film!
A tale that permeates a character of mixed-race identity is something I’m personally keen to as someone who comes from parents with varying backgrounds. I was never white or black enough, whilst looking either Latinx or like someone from the Middle East, so a story like this is something I can get behind. I’m also curious to see what Lauren Mary Kim (Raya And The Last Dragon, “The Cleaning Lady,” “The Mandalorian) can bring to the table as the project stunt coordinator as well, bringing Filipino martial arts action to the forefront in the decade-plus since Southeast Asian action came back into fruition.
The plan is to craft a short proof-of-concept for an early 2025 start date in Manila, with crowdfunding going to upscaled working conditions and crew pay, and with hopeful strechgoals guaranteed help Lamers and her team produce the best film possible.
Check out the Kickstarter page and learn more about Filipino Karate Kid!