With almost no knowledge in film production, Jay Ignacio and team went on a sojourn to unravel the roots of the world’s most deadly and effective martial art — Kali. Known in mainstream Philippines as “arnis” the original form of Kali (or Eskrima) replaced today’s wooden sticks with yesterday’s bladed weapons. During the Spanish occupation, Filipinos who were assimilated into Spanish culture were allowed to practice their art, however replacing these kick ass weapons with sticks.

This is a documentary about the global impact and current state of Eskrima/Kali/Arnis, otherwise known as Filipino Martial Arts.

Filmed around Cebu, Baguio, Bacolod, Batangas, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Manila, Moscow, Oakland and San Diego. The Bladed Hand will show how this native art from the Philippines has had a significant impact on military systems and even on Hollywood. [from the Facebook group]

Kali has had numerous influences in film, including The Hunted, Bourne Identity, Mortal Kombat, Punisher War Zone, Resident Evil Apocalypse, and many more. More than the “balut” featured in Fear Factor, eskrima is the Philippines’ biggest cultural export. The irony? Most Filipinos don’t even know they have a martial art.

The film talks about how other countries have embraced Kali and incorporated it into their own martial art forms. The fighting style makes use of bladed or blunt weapons, with the “eskrimador” constantly moving with elegant rhythm, almost like a dance. Even the late Bruce Lee has adopted Kali in his bladed weapon techniques.

Above is the long trailer that preludes the release date of The Bladed Hand this coming September 2010.