Film South Florida.com: Describe The Empty Mind in 20 words or less.

Jon Braeley: (The documentary is) a spiritual and philosophical journey from the temples and mountains of China to the training halls of Japan to meet today's greatest martial artists.
 
Film South Florida.com: What was the film's source of inspiration?
 
Braeley: The death in March 2003 of Enoeda Sensei, one of the World's top karate exponents, whom I knew. It dawned on me that we take our strong health for granted, especially one who devotes 8-10 hours every day to martial arts practice and teaching. I decided to film today’s great masters in their natural habitat—their own training hall.
 
Film South Florida.com: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome while making The Empty Mind?
 
Braeley: Gaining permission to film in their training halls, or dojos. These are people who desire no fame or wealth, and so require little or no publicity, which a camera often brings. It took almost one year to finally have all the permission's I wanted, especially in Japan , where the people are very humble.
 
Film South Florida.com: What was the most memorable moment of making The Empty Mind?
 
Braeley: There were so many, as I met over 10 of the great masters from Kung Fu and Taichi, to Karate, Aikido and Kendo, but Moriteru Ueshiba, who is the grandson of the founder of Aikido, was very important. He teaches everyday at 6.30 a.m. in the Aikido World HQ in Tokyo , and I was allowed to film this class and interview him in his Grandfathers office—a first for western cameras.
 
Film South Florida.com: How important is it to you and your film that it is screening during the FLIFF?
 
Braeley: Any film being screened means an acceptance of some sorts by someone or a committee, so in that way all the festivals are important. However, FLIFF is very large.
 
Film South Florida.com: How has living in Florida shaped your vision as a filmmaker?
 
Braeley: I film mostly in Asia , and so Florida has no particular merits for me, although living in this climate allows you to be
closer to nature and water, which is important for me.

The Empty Mind will screen 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Cinema Paradiso. Visit http://fliff.com/2004/listings/emptymind.htm for more information.

The FLIFF's Sunshine Celluloid sidebar is dedicated to movies by Florida-based filmmakers.

FLIFF Sunshine Celluloid Q&A: Duncan Brinkhurst
FLIFF Sunshine Celluloid Q&A: Camille Carida
FLIFF Sunshine Celluloid Q&A: Andrew Delaplaine
FLIFF Sunshine Celluloid Q&A: Dominic Traverzo
FLIFF Sunshine Celluloid Q&A: Debby Wolfe

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