1980’s martial arts cult classic Miami Connection screening Saturday during New York Asian Film Festival

Drafthouse Films recently partnered with 9th degree martial arts Grandmaster and filmmaker Y.K. Kim, to unleash the 1987 roundhouse wreck-wave of justice and vengeance called Miami Connection. The film had a very limited theatrical and scarce VHS release in 1987, and then vanished into obscurity every since. A small test screening of the film’s first reel unveiled a relentless fury of ninjas, synth rock, lawless bikers and brutal knife fights. The crowd apparently lost their minds. Fast forward to this Saturday, July 7th, at 11:15pm ​at the Walter Reade Theater, where there will be a very special New York Asian Film Festival screening of Miami Connection – the lost 1980s achievement in kung-fu anti-sanity – for its 25th anniversary, with ​producer and star Y.K. Kim in person.

The year is 1987. Motorcycle ninjas tighten their grip on Florida’s narcotics trade, viciously annihilating anyone who dares move in on their turf. Multi-national martial arts rock band Dragon Sound have had enough, and embark on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice. When not chasing beach bunnies or performing their hit song “Against the Ninja,” Mark (kung-fu master/inspirational speaker Y.K. Kim) and the boys are kicking and chopping at the drug world’s smelliest underbelly. It’ll take every ounce of their blood and courage, but Dragon Sound can’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed the dealers, the drunk bikers, the kill-crazy ninjas, the middle-aged thugs, the “stupid cocaine”…and the entire Miami Connection.

Directed by 9th degree black belt philosopher/author/inspirational speaker Grandmaster Y.K. Kim, the film tells the story of fearless synth rock band Dragon Sound as they embark on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice in the streets of Orlando. Now in HD from elements sourced by the America Genre Film Archive (AGFA), Miami Connection will have its official re-launch screening at this year’s New York Asian Film Festival on Saturday, July 7th and will return to cinemas, home video and digital platforms later in 2012.

Following Miami Connection’s very limited theatrical and scarce VHS release in 1987, the film vanished into obscurity. Over two decades later, Alamo Drafthouse programmer Zack Carlson blindly purchased a rare 35mm print from a reluctant eBay seller for $50. The film has since screened across the country at select festivals and repertory theaters, championed by critics such as Joel Modelo of Examiner.com, who proclaimed it a “hilariously rollicking good time.”

Miami Connection was produced by William Whitacre, directed by Y.K. Kim, and starred Kim, along with Vincent Hirsch, Joseph Diamand, Maurice Smith, Angelo Janotti, Kathy Collier and William Eagle.

Check out assorted scenes, the movie poster and images from Miami Connection, below.