It's not like it's brain surgery- you know, unless it is.
--
Chas
http://www.willemdethouars.com
http://www.kuntaosilat.com/DVDs.html
This is a review of the DVD series
produced by Steve Gartin and Chas Clements, et. al., practitioners
of the Indonesian-based art of Kuntao-Silat entitled Heartless
Monkey Knife, volumes II and III.
ThunderRock Backyard Productions is
an in-house video presentation put together by Steve. Though it is
not done by professional studio, it is very well done, with superb
backgrounds, titles and clear video and sound.
In Heartless Monkey Knife II, the
production values have improved over earlier titles, with a nice
menu front end and artistically done titles, while maintaining the
'backyard' folksy tone that we've come to expect. Video quality is
also improved making this title both entertaining and enjoyable.
The
DVD is organized into 11
chapters, accessible from the top menu.
We start out with a review of some
of the blades found in Indonesia, by Chas Clements, starting with
the Keris (Kris) or wavy bladed dagger.
Immediately one gets a sense of the
substantial knowledge and background of the presenter, Mr Clements,
as he goes over the function of the wavy blade, and later talks
about the various types and weights and blade compositions.
Next we move to an examination of
the Kerampit or Kerambit, an assassin's weapon, examining the
specifics of the sheath, and configurations for wearing the blade.
Moving through a few other bladed
weapons, including the Kukri, showing grip and basic deployment.
Chapter three and four are two forms
performed by Willem deThouars, the first a knife form called "Tai
Eng", featuring an imaginary fight against multiple attackers. This
form shows the close in fluid moves of the blade, use of the alive
hand, and the economy of motion noted in the Indonesian arts. It
would be instantly recognizable by most Filipino martial artists as
'the flow'. These kinds of forms are not really set patterns, and
one might suspect that while certain parameters are followed, the
form is more free-flow than the set patterns of typical Japanese,
korean or similar hard arts.
The second form, even more free flow
is entitled "Crazy Monkey", and is done without a weapon, but could
easily incorporate one. Again, most FMA stylists would recognize the
attributes demonstrated.
Chapter five and six are combined
and begins with a snippet of a seminar held by Victor deThouars (Pak
Vic), the youngest of the brothers, as he gives some practical
advice about training with live blades versus training blades.
Chapter seven follows Pak Vic to a
blade show where he goes over some one-steps against the thrust,
showing some disarms.
Chapter eight shows an another form
by Willem, or "Uncle" as he is called by his students, featuring a
single blade, demonstrating a free flow low line attack and response
to imagined multiple attackers. I might add that he shows the
agility of a young man, despite being 69 years old, moving with
exceptional flow, speed and agility.
In Chapter nine, the video then goes
to a section where Chas talks to a friend about his personal blades,
large and small, including a short section on use of the fighting
hatchet; overall an entertaining and interesting segment.
Chapter ten entitled 'Sticking
Hands' goes over a flow drill, very similar, but less structured
than the FMA 'de cadena' or chain of hands. After a minute or two
they add training blades and demonstrate a very unstructured version
of this.
The last chapter features another one-step drill against the knife
thrust, offered as a bonus feature by a much younger Steve Gartin,
showing the response at normal speed, then in slow motion.
Finally, as the credits roll, Uncle
does another very nice single blade free-form featuring an
incredible jumping move in slow motion where this almost
seventy-year-old gentleman jumps at least 2-3 feet in the air.
This is definitely a must-have video
series by any practitioner of the art of Silat, though it's mostly a
demonstration of the art more than a how-to instructional video. It
will be easily followed and digested by any student of the Filipino
martial arts, and a nice addition to any collection.
by: Southern Badger - Rec.Martial-Arts Newsgroup
