Ancient substance for new forms
Introduction
A contemporary interpretation of some key concepts of the Hagakure (the Samurai code), developed by a practitioner of Parkour, the urban discipline whose aim is to move as efficiently as possible by overcoming obstacles and tracing seemingly impossible paths.
Synopsis
Talking with Federico about Parkour, I was struck by the similarities this discipline shares with some themes specific to traditional martial arts.
In particular, some of the training methods and the mental attitude with which "Gato" faces an obstacle reminded me of the passages of the Hagakure, the Samurai code. The wall to be overcome is a metaphor for one's own limitations, and physical and mental training is a method for overcoming them.
The short film doesn't aim to represent Parkour in its physical form. Rather, it attempts to demonstrate, through a metaphorical journey, the pursuit of self-improvement, personal growth, and overcoming obstacles—all of which make parkour a discipline.
This video was part of the Walls and Borders series, part of the 2009 Turin Film Festival, and was created in collaboration with Andrea Zambelli, Andrea Salimbene, and Federico 'Gato' Mazzoleni.
Film info
Gallery
Walls and Borders
Movement
In Palestine 1
In Palestine 2
Pee
Blessed among women
Romani Pativ
More time than…
Distances
Aziz
Sidewalk
Waiting for the light
The Thyssen-Krupp Wall
Raise the Shot
The Sheikh and the people of Abruzzo
Halima
Chaz
Righi, Liberante
Mary's Wall
Without borders
Nothing
…And trees start to scream
Plexiglass
Of mortals
War remnants
Leo
Tell him you see yourself
Cailloux
Maya
Rural episode
Fifth state exists, it doesn't appear, therefore it doesn't exist!
Tie-break
300 seconds from the beginning
Upside down looks
The scream
In their world
Italic race
Vratite se
A stone in the water
Rough Reverse
Rape
A bigger horizon
Marrobbio
Shalom
Tijuana
Staines
The walls of the house
Sara
Face to face (excerpt)
Love Conquers Mountains
048 Exemption from co-payments for cancer patients
There were an Indian, an English woman and a French woman…
Reflexes
Dreams
Partial memory
Tied
Paskaran Project
During the construction of the Great Wall
Mediterranean
House detention
Love stands still
Sixty percent
No wall
Beyond the Deception
Clandestine
Ignorance of preconceptions
The future is written
Voices
Ancient substance for new forms
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