TITLE: Ode to the fighter

Muay Thai is one of the most brutal combat sports of the world. Athletes from all over the world are arriving to Thailand every year to prove themselves and challenge the born Thai fighters.

Spending some time in Thailand, constantly surrounded by all the advertisement for the regular fighting events, my curiosity grew eagerly to discover whether these arenas are offering fake tourist attractions or people can actually experience authentic, raw fighting scenes.

The series of “Ode to the fighter” is made from a first-row audience perspective. I wanted to demonstrate not only the brutality of Muay Thai, but also the human part of it. Fighters towards their masters and managers, and naturally against each other. Before, during and after the dispute.

If you look close enough, you might be able to feel the overflowing smell of the mixture of tiger balm and human sweat, and listen how the crowd is getting louder with every smash of flesh and bones, as the voice of the Javanese clarinet is getting more intense with each and every round.

AUTHOR: Daniel Antalfi (Hungary)