Born out of an era of tremendous suffering, Aikido is unique among martial arts. The founder, Morihei Ueshiba, was a highly skilled warrior who, after witnessing the destruction of World War II, turned toward peace and non-violence. With a slight shift in emphasis, he discovered that the lethal moves he once practiced could be used to defeat an armed attacker without any violence. From this revelation the “art of peace” began its journey throughout the world, with more than two million practitioners today.
Living Aikido Life is the remarkable new documentary that provides a window into the world of those who continue to follow the founder’s vision. Produced by filmmaker Bogdan Heretoiu, and Carol Huang (City College of New York/CUNY), the hauntingly beautiful film tells the stories of ten modern Aikido teachers and practitioners. Filmed in a style evocative of Akira Kurosawa, and featuring the stunning Sumi-e ink paintings of Mariusz Szmerdt, the film expertly weaves together candid interviews with aikido demonstrations to present a wealth of practical information for living in the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
