In 2007, a Welshman named Gareth Evans walked into a martial arts school in Indonesia. He was looking to make a documentary about silat, the indigenous martial art of much of mainland Southeast Asia and the surrounding archipelagos. Evans’s attention was soon focused on one young fighter, Iko Uwais. Uwais was the grandson of H. Achmad Bunawar, a master of silat and founder of the school. Two years prior Uwais had become National Champion in the demonstration category.
Iko Uwais’s natural charisma and athletic ability convinced Evans that he could be a star, and he signed the Indonesian to a five year contract.