Director James Latimer saw something special with kata karate form champion Mahiro Takano. So special, Latimer made a short film starring the young girl in this fantastical documentary narrative with Kata.

The young phenomenal 13-year-old karate kid is the talk of Japan. Only at 4’8”, Mahiro won a record of six successive national titles at the elementary school level. Her form and technique are so impressive, media buzzed on the fact that she couldn’t qualify for this year’s Summer Olympics for being too young.

Despite not qualifying for the Summer Olympics, she was appointed by the JKF as a 2020 Karate Ambassador for the Olympics. Also, she made an appearance in the “Alive” music video for Australian artist Sia.

Here’s the official synopsis of Kata:

A fantastical and dramatic journey through the mind of 13-year-old Mahiro Takano, a long-time undefeated national kata karate form champion, who comes face-to-face with her greatest enemy yet.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Marq Evans on the Life and Ambition of Will Vinton in Claydream | Tribeca 2021 [Exclusive Interview]

LRM Online’s Gig Patta spoke with director James Latimer on the karate champion Mahiro Takano, his love for Japanese culture, the poetic words narration, her performance, and the film style for the short film.

James Latimer is an award-winning short films director. Kata is the third short film in his series highlighting his love for Japanese culture. His previous short films included Lady Samurai and Butoh Dance – Conan Amok, which both highlighted other aspects of Japanese culture. His first short film Two is a narrative of a woman resorting to becoming an escort after her husband committing suicide.

Kata made its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2021.

Watch the exclusive interview with James Latimer below. Let us know what you think.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive