The film China Sea, directed by Jurgis Matulevičius, tells the poignant story of a Lithuanian martial arts champion who seeks redemption after a life-altering incident. The drama, which premiered at the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, highlights themes of guilt, isolation, and second chances. It marks a significant cultural collaboration as the first co-production between Lithuania and Taiwan.
The narrative follows the character Osvald, portrayed by Marius Repšys, who is banned from professional fighting after injuring a girl during a street altercation. Stranded in his desolate hometown, he finds refuge in a struggling Taiwanese restaurant owned by his only friend, Ju-Long. Through court-mandated therapy, Osvald encounters Skaistė, a woman who represents a life of hope and possibility, yet his violent past looms large, forcing him to confront his demons.
Saulė Bliuvaite, who co-wrote the film, spoke about the inspiration behind the story, stating, “This story is inspired by a real person—a fighter from Lithuania who achieved stardom in Asia, especially in Japan, during the early 2000s.” Despite his success abroad, he became embroiled in controversy back home, known for violent incidents and associations with a dangerous crowd. Tragically, he was shot in 2015.
Matulevičius and Bliuvaite also explored the immigrant experience through the character of Ju-Long, whose family runs the restaurant. The connection between Osvald and Ju-Long highlights a shared sense of isolation, each man grappling with his own struggles in a foreign environment. The film opens with real television footage of a fight, merging it with scenes featuring Repšys to illustrate Osvald’s former fame.
As the plot unfolds, themes of frustration, rage, and toxic masculinity emerge. Matulevičius explains, “Our main character has a man’s body, but his mindset is still stuck in his teenage years.” He grapples with societal expectations of masculinity, learning that vulnerability is not a weakness but a path to healing.
Osvald embarks on a journey of self-improvement, training children and forming bonds with immigrants. Bliuvaite adds, “He is on a path of healing, navigating personal struggles while remaining oblivious to the chaos around him.” The title China Sea serves as a metaphor for the obstacles one must overcome to achieve personal growth.
The film also features a unique element: the protagonist’s coach is played by the actual coach of the real-life fighter who inspired the story. This connection deepened the emotional resonance of the film, as the coach reflected on the metaphor of the sea in relation to their shared experiences.
Matulevičius draws inspiration from the documentary The Work (2017), which explores rehabilitation within a prison setting. He sought to portray similar themes of transformation and redemption in China Sea. Repšys, who practiced martial arts for ten years, faced a challenging physical transformation for the role, needing to reduce his weight from 110 kilograms to 84 kilograms.
The film’s Taiwanese cast includes actors such as Jag Huang and Sonia Yuan, who were eager to participate despite the cultural distance. Their involvement adds depth to the narrative and showcases the collaborative spirit of the project.
The production faced technical challenges as well, particularly with a scene involving an ice hole in a lake. Health and safety regulations necessitated creative solutions, leading to extensive post-production work to achieve the desired effect.
While Matulevičius and Bliuvaite do not currently have another joint project in the pipeline, they continue to support each other’s creative endeavors. Matulevičius is interested in a future film centered on a historical narrative set in the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage site that embodies the interplay between nature and human struggle.
As China Sea makes its rounds in film festivals, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, exploring the complexities of redemption and the human condition through the lens of martial arts and cultural exchange.
