Mixed martial arts is gaining attention in films this year. One standout is China Sea, directed by Lithuanian filmmaker Jurgis Matulevičius. The film draws inspiration from the true story of a fallen MMA fighter, blending hard reality with an Eastern European vibe.
The main character, Osvald Gurevicius, played by Marius Rapsys, starts with promise. We see him dominate in the ring in old TV clips. But in real life, his temper leads him into trouble. After accidentally injuring a woman during a bar fight, his career takes a serious dive.
By not showing this incident, the film keeps the spotlight on Osvald’s journey to change. He lives in a cramped room above his friend Ju-Long’s restaurant, also called China Sea. Ju-Long, a Taiwanese immigrant, struggles with his own demons, including a gambling addiction that drags him deeper into illegal activities.
This connection between Osvald and Ju-Long highlights their shared struggle. Both men are marginalized—Osvald as a Lithuanian in Ju-Long’s community, and Ju-Long through his shady dealings. Breaking free from their circumstances feels nearly impossible, like the fish Osvald releases back into the water. It raises the question: Can they find their way back to a normal life?
The film’s structure unfolds like a series of rounds in a boxing match. While this metaphor works well, it does lead to some narrative disjointedness. Another key character, Skaiste, played by Severija Janusauskaite, adds depth. Osvald develops feelings for her, but she’s involved with a mob boss known as Tourist (Vaidotas Martinaitis). Unlike typical portrayals of villains, Tourist lingers in the background, creating an even greater sense of unease.
Osvald’s dreams reveal his inner turmoil. He confesses to Ju-Long that he wakes up feeling like “a dead man.” This feeling of futility resonates, echoing themes from Matulevičius’s earlier work, Isaac, where the past and present intertwine. For Osvald and Ju-Long, the chance of escaping their self-made traps seems minimal, especially when unexpected challenges keep coming.
China Sea paints a raw picture of fighting not just in the ring but also in life. The hurdles these characters face are strikingly relatable—demonstrating that the real battles often happen away from the spotlight.
For those interested in the broader impact of mixed martial arts, a recent survey from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association reports a growing interest among younger audiences. This increase in engagement with MMA in popular culture reflects shifting perceptions about the sport, making films like China Sea even more relevant.
While China Sea portrays a unique perspective, it also raises universal questions about identity, redemption, and the fight for a better future amidst chaos.
