Tradition, The Rise of a Gracie Fighter is director Daren Bartlett's third film about Brazilian culture. It is a feature-length documentary about the extraordinary Gracie family of Rio de Janeiro, the world renowned martial arts dynasty and pioneers of the devastatingly effective grappling style that is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The remarkable history of this discipline spans 100 years. The film charts Roger Gracie over a decade, and his rise to world champion status.
The film also explores in depth the family's roots and revolutionary effect on worldwide martial arts, and includes rare archive material and interviews with many key family members.
"A thoughtful, thoroughly engaging film and a unique, intimate window in to the world of Jiu Jitsu and the dedication it takes to be a Gracie fighter." Jessica Mellor, Film Journalist.
"This illuminating documentary depicts Rio de Janeiro’s Gracie family, a martial arts dynasty and pioneers of the devastatingly effective grappling style that is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The film charts the rise of Roger Gracie over the past nine years, detailing how he became world champion, and also looks at the impact this discipline has had on martial arts around the world. " Curzon Soho.