The Art of Self-Defense

Synopsis

Casey is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei in an effort to learn how to defend himself. What he uncovers is a sinister world of fraternity, violence and hypermasculinity and a woman fighting for her place in it.

Trailer

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Cast

Jesse Eisenberg

Casey

Alessandro Nivola

Sensei

Imogen Poots

Anna

Steve Terada

Thomas

David Zellner

Henry

Phillip Andre Botello

Kennith

Jason Burkey

Alex

—

Mike Brooks

Steve

C.J. Rush

Other Steve

Davey Johnson

Gun Store Owner

Hauke Bahr

Grant

—

Katherine Martin

Bakery Woman

—

Cameron Murphy

New White Belt

Nicholas Hulstine

Pickup Truck Driver

—

Lena Friedrich

French Girl

Louis Robert Thompson

Veterinarian

Dallas Edwards

Manuel

Katherine Smith-Rodden

Store Cashier

—

Frederic Spitz

French Guy

Alex Haydon

Man Wearing Pants

Crew

Art

• Becca Brooks Morrin Set Dresser
• Charlotte Royer Production Design
• Emily Blevins Set Decoration
• Chad Blevins Art Direction
• Gregory Sheppard Graphic Designer
• Eli Kleinsmith Property Master
• J. Ryan McCleney Set Designer

Camera

• Michael Ragen Director of Photography
• Geoffrey Storts First Assistant Camera
• Josh Boyd Second Assistant Camera
• Dave Ogle Steadicam Operator
• Jared Hardy Digital Imaging Technician
• Isaac Harrison Still Photographer
• Tyler Buchholz Key Grip
• Daniel Williamson Best Boy Grip
• Seth Ware Grip
• David Lowe Dolly Grip

Costume & Make-Up

• Amy L. Forsythe Makeup Department Head
• Elissa Ruminer Key Makeup Artist
• Toby Sells Prosthetic Designer
• Aaron Worman Special Effects Makeup Artist
• Jami Villers Costume Design
• Tora Eff Assistant Costume Designer
• Elissa Ruminer Hair Department Head

Crew

• Josh Fried Stunt Double
• Mindy Kelly Stunt Coordinator
• Ross Kohnstam Stunts
• T. Ryan Mooney Stunt Double
• Nikki Stanley Stunt Double
• Wayne Beauchamp Special Effects Coordinator
• Mindy Kelly Fight Choreographer
• Dan Mast Stunt Driver
• Heather Bonomo Stunt Driver
• Steve Terada Stunt Driver
• Nick DeKay Stunt Driver
• John Ross Utility Stunts

Directing

• Riley Stearns Director
• Siena Brown First Assistant Director
• Stephanie Adams Second Assistant Director
• Diletta Di Nicolantonio Assistant Director
• Brett Durbin Script Supervisor
• Erick Lagunes Second Second Assistant Director

Editing

• Sarah Beth Shapiro Editor

Lighting

• Matt Ware Chief Lighting Technician
• Matt Ware Gaffer
• Eliot Brown Best Boy Electric
• Scott Phelps Additional Gaffer
• Hunter Zieske Electrician
• Zach Erwin Electrician

Production

• Andrew Kortschak Producer
• Walter Kortschak Producer
• Stephanie Whonsetler Producer
• David Zellner Executive Producer
• Nathan Zellner Executive Producer
• Cody Ryder Producer
• Andrew Karpen Executive Producer
• Lisa Ciuffetti Co-Producer
• Camille Bertrand Co-Producer
• Munika Lay Executive Producer
• Kent Sanderson Executive Producer

Sound

• Demetri Evdoxiadis Supervising Sound Editor
• Demetri Evdoxiadis Sound Re-Recording Mixer
• Zack Goldsborough Sound Recordist
• Raymond Park Sound Effects Editor
• Heather McIntosh Original Music Composer
• Chris Polczinski Production Sound Mixer
• Tasha Ann Ladwig Boom Operator

Visual Effects

• May Satsuki Asai Visual Effects
• Casey Curtiss Digital Compositor

Writing

• Riley Stearns Screenplay

Photos