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The Sensei

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Synopsis

Set in 1985, in the plains of Colorado, McClain Evans, a young gay teen is constantly the target of hate and bullying in his provincial town. Returning after a five-year absence is Karen O’Neil, a woman haunted by the death of her fiancé, pro boxer Mark Corey. On the surface, we believe Karen is there only to reconnect with her family, owners of a successful martial arts business, and active members of their church ministry. When McClain is hospitalized after a near fatal beating by three local teens, who are then released on bail, Annie (McClain’s outraged mother) asks Karen to secretly teach her son to defend himself. Unbeknown to her family, and fearful of small town retaliation, Karen agrees to secretly teach McClain, training him at night to protect them both. Through the martial ways, McClain learns to rise above ignorance and prejudice, and his new-found confidence causes him to intercede when a classmate is being bullied. After the public confrontation, Karen’s role as his teacher is revealed. This rocks the small, rural community to the core, particularly when the controversy unmasks Karen’s past with Mark Corey. Reminiscently told in conversation between the young man, McClain and a Minister The Sensei is an examination of the prejudices that allow hatred to continue, and the people that find their own humanity in their darkest hour.

Product Format Information

DVD : $9.99

Availability: In stock and ready to ship
Region Code: 1
UPC: 096009900199

Studio : Echo Bridge Home Entertainment

Customer Reviews

Better than Expected

Marclaw wrote on 02/28/2012:

When I first got this film I was not expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was well acted and worked.

The Sensei of Life

JANORM wrote on 03/12/2010:

This is one film that can really strike a cord in all of us. Its story creation is one of very convoluted twists and turns, not unlike real life. The betterment of the lead characters is the leading theme. While I have never watched such a story enfold in real life, this film could be set a an example of the conquest of insurmountable odds by the main characters. This is a story that shows the very best of human nature and the very worse. This is one of those films that is in a class by itself and should be added to your collection. GAY PERSECUTION CAN AND WILL BE OVER-COME! NJMJr!

A New Look at Martial Arts

Amos Lassen wrote on 01/08/2010:

“The Sensei”

A New Look at Martial Arts

Amos Lassen

Taking on some very tough subjects---racism, homophobia, social phobias, and bullying, “The Sensei” is a beautiful film. It looks at the way things were in the 1980’s when the AIDS epidemic was in high gear and we all lived in fear. Director Diana Lee Inosanto has a very strong message to relay to us and she does so with style and grace.
The film is set in 1985 in Colorado. McClain Evans is a young gay teen who is constantly tormented. Karen O’Neil, who has been gone for five years has returned to the town but she is still haunted by the death of the man she was to marry, a pro-boxer, Mark Corey. We assume that Karen has come back so that she can be with her family who own a martial arts workplace and are active in their church.
Evans is sent to the hospital after a severe beating which almost killed him and the three teens that were responsible are taken in but released on bail. Evans’s mother Annie asks Karen to help her son by teaching him, secretly, how to defend himself. Karen agrees to do so but keeps the entire business under wraps because of the mentality of the small town and the reaction of her parent’s church. She teaches the boy at night so that he can protect himself and so that she can do the same. Evans learns quickly and soon is able to ignore the prejudice and ignorance of his town and he becomes confident—so much so that he steps in when a classmate is bullied. Because the confrontation is public, word is out that Karen was his teacher and this rocks the community and there are other surprises as well.
The movie is somewhat unconventional in the way it is shown to us—basically as a conversation between Evans and his minister. Because of this film we are allowed to have a good look at small town life, how hate comes about and how it is eliminated by the forces of humanity.