Renowned Indonesian actor Iko Uwais has been honing his skills in the art of pencak silat since the tender age of 10. His remarkable talent was brought to light by Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans in 2007, during Evans’ production of a documentary on silat.
Pencak silat is a powerful martial art that incorporates grappling, throws, and forceful strikes, making it a formidable fighting style. Uwais’ mastery of silat has propelled him to stardom, particularly in action-packed films such as
The Raid
series and
The Expendables 4
. Teaming up with frequent on-screen partner Joe Taslim, Uwais has delivered some of the most fast-paced and thrilling fight scenes in the genre over the past decade.
Uwais’ expertise in pencak silat has played a crucial role in the success of films such as
Headshot
and
Triple Threat
, and his ability to portray both protagonist and antagonist roles sets him apart as a highly skilled actor. His recent portrayal of a villain in Netflix’s
The Night Comes for Us
and
The Expendables 4
has only added to his growing reputation as a multifaceted performer. With upcoming roles, including a potential fight against Donnie Yen’s Caine in the
John Wick
spinoff, Uwais is poised to become a legendary figure in the world of martial arts, joining the ranks of greats such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
Uwais’ dedication to the art of silat runs deep, as he was taught the fighting style by his grandfather, Haji Achmad Bunawar, who founded the Tiga Beranti Silat School in 1974. Tiga Beranti is a specific style of silat that encompasses three distinct streams – The Tiger, The Shoot, and The Rubber – each representing different elements of the martial art. Uwais has likened mastering silat to the discipline required in China’s Kung Fu, due to its combination of various fighting styles into one cohesive practice.
Despite the passing of his grandfather in 2013, Tiga Beranti remains a respected martial arts school that continues to preserve the legacy of silat. Uwais, who views silat almost reverently, is committed to showcasing this underrepresented style to audiences worldwide, further solidifying his impact on the movie industry.
Iko Uwais’ exemplary skill in the Indonesian martial art of pencak silat has indisputably propelled him to international acclaim, and his enduring dedication to promoting this unique fighting style makes him an influential figure in the realm of martial arts and cinema.