The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, will host a movie premiere for "The Match-Stick Flame 3: Red Mafia" on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The event includes a red carpet from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and a movie screening from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the museum's location at 201 N Brand Blvd B100. This premiere represents a significant cultural event that bridges the worlds of independent filmmaking and martial arts preservation, offering the public a unique opportunity to experience a new action narrative within a venue dedicated to martial arts history.
The film follows Detective Dalton, portrayed by Craig Bruss, a Navy Seal veteran with PTSD who has transitioned to bounty hunting. Dalton is tasked by DEA Agent Prasad, played by Vineeta Prasad, with dismantling the remaining Lunada Bay gang members in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. His journey involves exploring alternative medicine strategies with karate Sensei Darryl Vidal alongside traditional therapy. The plot intensifies as Dalton must confront the Russian Mob, known as the "Red Mafia," to rescue Agent Prasad after her capture, reuniting with characters like Chief Higgins, the Match Stick Mobsters, and Jake in the process.
Michael Matsuda, Museum Director, emphasized the film's alignment with the museum's mission, stating it is a natural fit as an action film featuring mixed martial arts and highly experienced actors and martial artists. He specifically noted Darryl Vidal's involvement, known for the "crane kick" in "The Karate Kid" and his role as a referee in "Cobra Kai Season 6." This connection highlights the film's authenticity and its roots in martial arts tradition, which may appeal to enthusiasts and general audiences alike, potentially drawing increased visitation to the museum and fostering greater appreciation for martial arts in popular culture.
Tickets for the premiere are available at the door, with credit cards accepted, priced at $12 for adults and $5 for kids aged 17 and under. The museum is situated at the corner of Brand and Wilson, next to Muay Thai School, with parking available at the 4-story tower at 222 N. Orange Street, where the first 90 minutes are free. This accessibility may encourage broader community participation, supporting both the museum's educational initiatives and independent film distribution.
Following the premiere, "The Match-Stick Flame 3: Red Mafia" will be available on streaming services such as Tubi, Amazon, and YouTube. For context, previous installments can be viewed on Tubi, including The Match-Stick Flame and The Match-Stick Flame 2: Lunada Bay. This streaming availability expands the film's reach beyond the premiere, allowing global audiences to engage with its themes of resilience, justice, and martial arts, potentially influencing future independent productions and collaborations between cultural institutions and filmmakers.
The implications of this announcement extend to the entertainment industry, where such events can boost visibility for independent films and martial arts narratives, and to cultural institutions like museums, which may see enhanced relevance through contemporary programming. For readers, it offers an accessible entry point into martial arts culture and independent cinema, while for the industry, it underscores the value of partnerships between heritage sites and creative projects in enriching community engagement and preserving artistic legacies.
