Fight or Flight – A Journey Through Fear, Violence & the Art of Muay Thai

Muay Thai Boxing, with a spiritual basis in Buddhism, becomes the lens through which two filmmakers confront the deepest conflict of all — the battle within.

For two years, co-directors Peter J McCarthy and Shane Sutton travelled the length and breadth of Thailand — from Bangkok’s backstreet boxing gyms to the mountain temples of Chiang Mai, from remote rural fight rings to serene Buddhist monasteries — to explore the roots of violence and the nature of conflict in mankind.

At its heart is the story of an Irishman who suffered a sudden, unprovoked attack on a city street. Shaken and changed by the experience, he set out to face his fear of conflict head-on. What began as self-defence training evolved into a full psychological and spiritual odyssey. As a novice fighter, he entered Thailand’s Muay Thai training camps “from scratch,” preparing to meet real opponents in one of the world’s toughest combat sports.

Along the way, Fight or Flight becomes more than a martial arts documentary. It’s a meditation on fear, violence, and the search for healing. In quiet moments with Buddhist monks, the journey turns inward — questioning the causes of aggression in modern society and the possibility of peace in the midst of conflict.

Four years in the making, this unique film blends martial arts, psychology, and travelogue into an odyssey of the modern man — confronting not only opponents in the ring, but the shadows within himself.

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Documentary – Underground Cinema International Film Festival (2011)

  • Best Foreign Documentary – Long Island Film Festival (2009)

  • Best Documentary – Radar Hamburg International Film Festival (2008)

  • Best Documentary for Artistic Expression – Temecula Film Festival, California (2008)

  • Best Documentary “Making a Difference Award” – Commffest Toronto (2008)

  • Best Feature Films Showcase – Moving Image Film Festival (2008)

  • Winning: Beloit International Film Festival Fund for Emerging Filmmakers (2009)

  • Nominated: MAMA Awards, Ireland (2008)

  • Nominated: Best Documentary – BIFF Wisconsin (2008)

  • Nominated: Best Editing – IFTA Awards, Shane Sutton (2009)

Co-Directors: Peter J McCarthy & Shane Sutton
Editor: Shane Sutton

Director of Photography: Peter J McCarthy & Shane Sutton

Genre: Documentary / Martial Arts / Psychology
Runtime: Feature length