Redbelt Training at R1 Gym

Behind the Scenes Training: Renato Magno and Rico Chiapparelli take Chiwitel and Rodrigo Santoro out to the R1 gym to learn some of the basics of MMA.

Redbelt on Planeta Brasil

Planeta Brasil recently did a feature on the making of the movie Redbelt and caught up with two Brazilians involved with the movie: Renato Magno and John Machado.

New Redbelt The Movie Website Launched

Sony Pictures Classics has unveiled a new website promoting the movie Redbelt on which Renato Magno served as the jiu-jitsu consultant.

Redbelt Movie Trailer Is Here!

Check out the Redbelt Movie Trailer

David Mamet Interview - On Set of Redbelt

Here's another recent interview with David Mamet (the writer and director of Redbelt), professing to be a regular guy in a cowboy hat. David's a modest guy; not only is he a pullitzer prize winner and an academy award nominee, he's also an accomplished Jiu-Jitsu player and a purple belt at Street Sports BJJ under Renato Magno.

In the video you can also see Street Sports athletes Ray Mancini and Steve DeCastro doing some fight rehearsals.

Renato Featured on Fightworks Podcast

Recently the Fightworks Podcast caught up with Renato at this year's Jiu Jitsu Mundials to interview him about his role in developing the movie "Redbelt". Rico Chiaparelli was also on hand to provide some insight.

You can listen to the full interview here.

On The Set of Redbelt The Movie

We recently got a hold of some photos taken while we filmed some of the fight scenes for the movie Redbelt and decided to post a few.

Click on the images for a larger version.

Frank Trigg tapes Rico Chiapparelli as Renato Magno Preps



Renato getting in character for fight scene.



Renato in his Corner with El Mariachi and David Mamet



The Pre-Fight Ritual



Renato Magno vs Rico Chiapparelli fight scene



Renato, Randy Couture, and Rodrigo Santoro on the commentators set



Renato overseeing fight rehearsals



The actors go over the Redbelt Script



Chiwitel Ejiofor, Alice Braga and Renato Magno



David Mamet and Renato Magno



Renato Magno keeping Chiwitel in character

Redbelt Photos: Renato Magno

Renato was recently photographed in full fight gear for his scenes in the movie Redbelt. Click on the image for the large version.

More Redbelt Training Pictures

Here are some more behind the scenes training pictures at the Street Sports Jiu Jitsu Academy.

Click on the images for a larger version.

The guys with the Redbelt script.


Chiwetel practicing an armbar on Renato.


Chiwetel practicing his guard on John Machado.


A determined Chiwetel working some standup.


Chiwetel working the mitts with Jesse.


Chiwetel mount work on John Machado.


Renato Magno helping Chiwetel with the mount.

The UFC and NBC Visit Street Sports

NBC Sports recently visited the Street Sports Gym in Santa Monica, CA to chat with some of the stars of Redbelt and film some of the fight choregraphy. Interestingly, David Mamet reveals that he had previously discussed making the film with Mel Gibson.

LA Times Article on Redbelt

The LA Times recently ran a brief article about the movie Redbelt in which they point out the irony of an intellectual filmmaker like David Mamet acting as the catalyst that caused big Hollywood to recognize MMA and Jiu Jitsu as mainstream entertainment.

Photo Courtesy of LA Times and Sony Pictures Classics.