REDBELT/TWISTS EJIOFOR

Presumably not everyone in the world managed to bag a seat for Chiwetel Ejiofor’s recent, stunning performance as Othello opposite Ewan McGregor.

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For anyone who did miss it, here is a chance to see something of the Moor man’s formidable style speaking the words of one of Shakepeare’s modern followers, David Mamet.

And you get to see him fight too!!! For Mamet’s focus this time is the world of mixed martial arts – specifically Jiu-Jitsu - and the drama there ins the battles between personal integrity and crass commercialism

Ejiofor poses as a Gulf War running a Los Angeles club built on the samurai's code of honour over superficial competition, which is admirable but not popular.

In short, he has principals but no dosh.

Enter stage left, a genuine Hollywood star, comedian Tim Allen, who ask Ejiofor to work with him on an Iraq war film he's making

Even in real life, this might seem too good to be true, and in this film it most definitely is.

Ejiofer is quickly in a fine old mess, his integrity in tatters, wondering, in eloquent Mamet style, where he went wrong, until he remembers Iraq and that in a war even the best have to fight dirty.

Redbelt should be released in the UK sometime this spring.

Posted April 25, 2008.