The Empty Hands / Kong shou dao

Mari’s plan appears perfect at first sight: when her father dies, she wants to convert his karate training hall into apartments, collect the rent and enjoy her life. However, she must discover that her father left only half of the dojo to her – the other half goes to his former karate student Chan. Chan makes Mari an offer: if she manages successfully to participate in a karate tournament, he will give his half to her. A dilemma for Mari, who does not want anything to do with karate anymore after having had to engage with martial arts throughout her entire childhood... Oscillating between the cultures of Japan and Hong Kong this film is studded with delicious dry humour.