Xu Haofeng’s first martial arts film showcases real kung fu, not flash and dazzle of superimposed scenes and stunts that defy the laws of physics.

Incredible stunts and dazzling action scenes have come to define Chinese kung fu movies. But in reality, the rollicking action audiences pay to see bears little resemblance to the actual art and practice of this ancient discipline. Xu Haofeng’s debut film, The Sword Identity, bears this in mind, presenting an original, big-screen take on kung fu. Set during the Ming Dynasty, the plot follows a young swordsman who carries a special sword, similar to the weapon used by Japanese pirates. The sword’s reputation gets around, and soon the unknown swordsman is fighting off skilled swordsmen looking to cement their reputations as the one to beat the special sword. At heart the film is about an unknown man triumphing over the powerful forces that be. Xu Haofeng, a Beijing Film Academy professor, is also an experienced martial arts writer, and has served as an advisor to several films, including Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmasters. Here, Xu eschews the hype of Hong Kong martial arts films and instead focuses on kung fu itself, presenting an orignal look at this ancient art form and its practical applications in combat. His action sequences are unpolished and sincere, and his simple style is earning him comparisons to Akira Kurosawa.

The Sword Identity premieres on Friday, Feb. 24 at Broadway Cinematheque Moma, Megabo.