By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Frederick Wiseman
Country: united_states
Year: 2010
Running time: 91
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1653827/
Diane says: “Freddie Wiseman’s latest. Not much fighting–good for the faint of heart–but lots of working out. Wiseman concentrates on the rhythms of the speed bag, the heavy bag, the medicine ball, the jump rope. It’s like another ballet film for him. (But what do I know? I didn’t see that one.)
It’s also like SWEETGRASS, about which Jeff recently said, “There is no soundtrack or narration, just bleats, rushing wind, birdsong, and unassuming conversation between laconic cowboys.” The viewer has to make sense of the locale, figure out the rituals and customs. In BOXING GYM, too, there is no soundtrack or narration, just thumps, breaths, timer buzzers, and unassuming conversation between gym-goers of all ages, genders, ethnicities, class. The sound (by Wiseman) is especially wonderful.
If you’ve seen MILLION DOLLAR BABY and GIRLFIGHT (Chlotrudis Best Actress, 2001), you know this kind of training. What’s great about BOXING GYM is that the kids and adults there are mostly not in it for the fight. Lots of Wiseman’s shots have one person training in the foreground and someone else training obliviously in the background–this isn’t about antagonism and winning; it’s about discipline and enjoyment. That’s the kind of place gym owner Richard Lord makes it. Check it out at http://www.lordsboxing.com/ 3 or 4 cats”