The Sensei is a 2008 independent film film, written, produced and directed by Diana Lee Inosanto (credited as D. Lee Inosanto).
Plot summary
Set in Colorado, the story takes place in 1985 during the rise of the
AIDS panic. McClain Evans is a
gay high school student, constantly the target of bullying in his town. Karen O'Neil is a woman haunted by the death of her pro-boxer fiancé, Mark Corey. After a five-year absence, she returns to her family, who runs a successful
martial arts school. When McClain is attacked by three local teens, his mother, Annie, asks Karen to teach her son martial arts so that he can defend himself. Karen's family is fearful of anti-gay retaliation, so Karen is forced to secretly teach McClain at night. When word of this reaches her family, and the small-town community, violence erupts, and family and friendship are challenged, forcing Karen to reveal her own dark and tragic secret to those she loves most.
Cast
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Diana Lee Inosanto as Karen Nakano O'Neil
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Keith David as the Minister
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Michael O'Laskey as McClain Evans
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Kerry Knuppe as Brenda
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Brad Thornton as Larry Blackbelt
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Louis Mandylor as Mark Corey
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Sab Shimono as Taky Nakano
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Emily Kuroda as Flora Nakano
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Michael Yama as Yori Nakano
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Tim Lounibos as Simon Nakano O'Neil
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Tzi Ma as the Buddhist Monk
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Mark McGraw as Rick Beard
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Jonathan Camp as Craig Beard
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Gina Scalzi as Annie Evans
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Bryan Frank as Peter O'Neil
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Michael Hake as Gary O'Neil
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Ron Balicki as Samurai #1 / Sparring Partner Vince
Awards
External links
