Tony Jaa

"An electrifying force in martial arts cinema", Tony Jaa was born in 1976 in the rural Isan region of Thailand. Jaa has been active in the film industry since the early 2000s, primarily in the action and martial arts genres, and is best known for his high-octane films such as "Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" and "The Protector", although major festival awards have eluded him thus far. His directorial style is characterized by an emphasis on traditional Muay Thai fighting techniques and spectacular, often gravity-defying stunts, all performed without the aid of wires or CGI.

Tony Jaa is a humble powerhouse who has not only revolutionized Thai cinema, but has also left an indelible mark on the global martial arts genre.