An Estonian film so wildly inventive, it kicks logic in the face and then politely blesses it, is heading to your screen this weekend. “Invisible Fight” (Nähtamatu võitlus, 2023), the high-kicking, genre-bending, Orthodox-monk-starring martial arts comedy, airs on SBS this Friday 30 May at 11:55pm and again on Saturday 31 May at 12:30pm. Estonian cinema really has entered its kung fu era.
So… what exactly is happening here?
Set in 1973 at the USSR-China border (as all great kung fu tales are), a young Soviet soldier named Rafael finds himself under attack by flying Chinese kung fu warriors who seem to have escaped from a martial arts remake of Woodstock. They’re dressed in black, their hair is long, and they’re blasting forbidden Black Sabbath music from a portable radio — because of course they are.
Rafael survives, has an epiphany (as one does after being ambushed by airborne hippie ninjas), and decides he too must become a kung fu warrior. Naturally, this spiritual martial journey leads him to… an Orthodox monastery. There, black-clad monks are training in secret martial arts — think Shaolin meets Slavic soul-searching, with a lot of roundhouse kicks and just a dash of humility.
A tale of discipline, love and unexpected uppercuts
Between grappling with a rival monk, awkward romantic tension, and the pursuit of inner peace via high kicks, Rafael embarks on a journey that is equal parts absurd, spiritual and action-packed. It’s like The Matrix, if Neo wore cassocks and occasionally broke into Orthodox chant.
Directed by Estonia’s own Rainer Sarnet, this surrealist cinematic experience is not just a comedy — it’s a punchline wrapped in a prayer robe doing a crane kick.
Featuring performances by Ursel Tilk, Ester Kuntu, Indrek Sammul, and more, the film speaks Estonian and Russian — with subtitles, but frankly, even without them you’d still understand the universal language of flying kicks and existential dread.
When to watch (and when to nap)
🕛 Friday 30 May at 11:55pm – the perfect time for a post-sauna cinema session
🕧 Saturday 31 May at 12:30pm – for those who prefer kung fu with lunch
Where? On SBS — yes, the same channel that shows cooking shows and Eurovision is now blessing your weekend with Estonian kung fu monks.
🎬 Watch the trailer (you really should): Estonian Film Database
📖 Read more: IMDb
📚 In Estonian: EFIS page
Warning: This film contains mature themes, spiritual violence, and potentially unexplainable cravings to attempt a flying kick in your kitchen. Viewer discretion (and strong ankle support) is advised.
