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Flatbush Fists is a 5-part documentary series that explores the influence that the Martial Arts have had on New York City culture since the 1960s and 70s. Through interviews, archival footage, and personal narratives, the series paints a picture of the lasting impacts the art form has made on film, hip hop, breakdancing and Women’s empowerment in the city. Featuring Soke Haisan Kaleak, Grand Master Bill McCloud, Sifu Carl Albright, the "Black Dragon" Ron van Clief, actor Taimak Guarriello, screenwriter Louis Venosta, martial artist Annie Ellman, Sensei Gerald Orange, children’s author Dimitrea Tokunbo, instructor Anthony Colon, Rocksteady crew co-founder Santiago "Jo Jo" Torres, rapper Haile Ali and Grand Master Rollie "Lumumba" Hernandez, Flatbush Fists will take you on a journey from Brooklyn’s first class of martial arts practitioners to its torch-bearers of tomorrow.

Part 1 | The Needle On The Compass
Dir: Charlie Hoxie

Over 50 years ago, Haisan Kaleak turned to the martial arts not just as a means of protecting himself on Brooklyn’s streets, but for the unification of mind, body, and spirit that the discipline offered. After training with Supreme Grand Master Dr. Moses Powell – founder of the Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu system – Haisan developed and grew his own practice in Brooklyn, eventually opening his own school in East New York. Today, along with Grand Master Bill McCloud and other members of the Sanuces family, Haisan Kaleak continues to spread the knowledge of the martial science by method of the Jiu Jitsu art, as taught to them by their grand master, Dr. Moses Powell.

Part 2 | Enter The Black Dragon
Dir: Charlie Hoxie

When Kung fu movies hit American shores in the 1960’s and 70s, they left a lasting impact on the martial arts scene in New York City. In turn, the city’s martial arts scene made its mark on American cinema, most notably with the release of the 1985 film The Last Dragon. In Part Two of Flatbush Fists, Louis Venosta, Taimak Guarriello, and Ron van Clief – the writer, star, and martial arts choreographer of the film – and World Karate Federation Hall of Famer Sifu Carl Albright, recount how this classic cult film captured this moment of cultural cross-pollination in 1980's New York.

Part 3 | Fight Like A Girl
Dir: Sasha Whittle

When Annie Ellman was introduced to karate in the 1970s, she immediately saw its potential as a tool for female empowerment. After meeting Nadia Telsey – a rare female instructor in a dojo run by Sensei Gerald Orange – Annie eventually co-founded Brooklyn Women’s Martial arts, to create a safe space for women to discuss issues of sexual violence and learn self defense. Today, Annie continues to work with women and gender non-conforming people in the borough, imparting the generational wisdom, strength, and resilience she found in the art form so many decades ago.

Part 4 | Dance Of The Tiger
Dir: Khyriel Palmer

Growing up amidst the drug wars in 1980’s Brooklyn, Anthony Colon turned to martial arts as a means of protecting himself and a form of escape. Already a part of the city’s burgeoning hip hop scene, Anthony began to combine martial arts moves with the bboy breakdancing he and his friends were pioneering, developing a style of dance unlike any other. Today, Anthony Colon continues to use both art forms to provide the kids in his Queens community with a positive outlet, and to pass on the discipline that kept him on the right path.

Part 5 | Lyrical Mantis
Dir: Khyriel Palmer

Brooklyn rapper Haile Ali initially sought out the martial arts as a means of protecting himself on the streets at night. After studying with Master Rollie "Lumumba" Hernandez, Ali eventually found a greater sense of purpose in the art form, applying the principles and discipline of Tai Chi to his artistic music practice. In Part Five of Flatbush Fists, we follow Haile Ali from the stage, to the studio, to a playground in Brooklyn where he practices martial arts with the members of his community, and trace the legacy of the borough’s fascination with the art form from its pioneering elders to the torch-bearers of tomorrow.

Go behind the scenes of Flatbush Fists with a special podcast episode.

CREDITS:

Featuring
Soke Haisan Kaleak
Grand Master Bill McCloud
Sifu Carl Albright
Ron van Clief
Taimak Guarriello
Louis Venosta
Annie Ellman
Sensei Gerald Orange
Dimitrea Tokunbo
Mercy Tokunbo
Emily Tokunbo
Anthony Colon
Santiago “Jo Jo” Torres
Haile Ali
Grand Master Rollie "Lumumba" Hernandez

Supervising Producer
Charlie Hoxie

Producer
Khyriel Palmer
Sasha Whittle

Executive Producer
Sachar Mathias
Aziz Isham

Camera
Illya Shnitser
Franklyn Grant
Mohamed Abo El Wafa
Emmanuel Alexandre, Jr.
Jonathan Rivera

Editor
Charlie Hoxie
Khyriel Palmer
Sasha Whittle

Motion Graphics Animator
Mayumi Sato

Post Production Supervisor
Steve de Sève

Production Coordinator
Jada Dantzler

Equipment Manager
Michael Carroll

Administrative Coordinator
Raynita Vaughn

Music Provided by DeWolfe.

Brooklyn, USA is produced by Sachar Mathias, Emily Boghossian, Shirin Barghi, Khyriel Palmer, Mayumi Sato and Charlie Hoxie.

For more information on this and all BRIC Radio podcasts, visit www.bricartsmedia.org/radio.