Fight or Flight
Filmmaker Peter McCarthy was randomly attacked on a night out in Galway City, Ireland, leaving him badly scarred and threatening the vision in his left eye. During his recovery Peter came across a newspaper article about Muay Thai boxing and decided the best way to fight back was to learn how to defend himself. So he decided to go to the source – he left Ireland for Thailand to learn to fight.
“Fight or Flight” documents Peter’s journey over several years in Thailand as he goes from novice in Muay Thai to fighting in semi-professional bouts in arenas full to capacity around Thailand. Through the experience, Peter learns that behind his compulsion to fight lies fear and ultimately a deep-seated anger that has driven him to risk his body in the ring. Fight or Flight is a compelling first-person account of Peter’s journey as he tries to come to terms with the anger within him.
The film began in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, and has taken more than five years to produce. It has won multiple awards including “Best Foreign Documentary” at the Long Island Film Festival in New York. An odyssey of self discovery, it tells a universal story that is relevant to all people today.
Videoblog: From the Director of ‘Fight or Flight’
Peter McCarthy, the director of ‘Fight or Flight,’ sent us this videoblog message from his office in Ireland about the premiere of his documentary on the network Saturday.
