Just last week we brought word of Indonesian martial arts film Merantau, a film built around martial artist Iko Uwais and his skills in little seen martial art Pencak Silat. Throughout the film's production cycle director Gareth Evans plans to post weekly behind the scenes reels and this week's entry gives fight fans exactly what they want: a five minute behind the scenes look at the martial arts choreography for the film. And what is most encouraging about the reel is the fact that the planning process began a solid five months ago and the care that director and fighters are putting in to balancing authenticity with entertainment value. Uwais is looking impressive on screen and with this balanced approach this could be something truly exceptional.

In Minangkabau, West Sumatera, Yuda a skilled practitioner of Silat Harimau is in the final preparations to begin his “Merantau” a century’s old rites-of-passage to be carried out by the community’s young men that will see him leave the comforts of his idyllic farming village and make a name for himself in the bustling city of Jakarta.

After a series of setbacks leave Yuda homeless and uncertain about his new future, a chance encounter results in him defending the orphaned Astri from becoming the latest victim of a European human trafficking ring led by the wildly psychotic, Ratger and his right-hand man Luc.

With Ratger injured in the melee and seeking both his “merchandise” and bloody retribution, Yuda’s introduction to the city is a baptism of fire as he is forced to go on the run with Astri and her younger brother Adit as all the pimps and gangsters that inhabit the night hound the streets chasing their every step. With escape seemingly beyond their grasp, Yuda has no choice but to face his attackers in an adrenaline charged, jaw-dropping finale.

You can find the original behind the scenes reel plus the new martial arts reel below the break in the Twitch Player.