Back to Explore
Meditation on Violence poster

Meditation on Violence

1949 · 0h 12m · Documentary · United States of America

Chao-Li Chi shadow boxes indoors and practices with a sword outdoors. Theoretically, the film describes in a single continuous movement three degrees of traditional Chinese boxing, Wu-tang, Shao-lin, and Shao-lin with a sword. A long sequence of the ballet-like, sinuous Wu-tang becomes the more erratic Shao-lin; in the middle, there is an abrupt change to leaping sword movements, in the center of which, at the apogee of the leap, there is a long held freeze-frame.

Directed by
Maya Deren
Written by
Chao Li Chi, Maya Deren
Starring
Chao Li Chi
Trailer
6.0Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

TMDB5.8

36 TMDB votes · IMDb page

Trailer

Rate what worked

0 of 5 rated
Story
Writing
Acting
Pacing
Rewatch
Rate 10 titles to unlock picks matched to your taste0 / 10
Saved in this browser only.

Where to watch

Not available to stream, rent or buy in Canada.

Where each service has it

Kanopy: available in 1 country
Free · 1United States

Streaming data by JustWatch, via TMDB. Links open the JustWatch listing for Canada.

Style & content

danceshort film

Keywords from TMDB.

Connected through the crew

Meshes of the Afternoon1943 · Writer Maya Deren, Director Maya DerenAt Land1944 · Writer Maya Deren, Director Maya DerenA Study in Choreography for Camera1945 · Director Maya DerenRitual in Transfigured Time1946 · Director Maya DerenWitch's Cradle1944 · Director Maya DerenThe Very Eye of Night1958 · Director Maya Deren, Writer Maya DerenEnsemble for Somnambulists1951 · Writer Maya Deren, Director Maya DerenDivine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti1993 · Cinematographer Maya Deren, Director Maya Deren

Browse lists

Best Documentary Movies of All Time