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Self
Self
Documentary film about Tony Halme, masculinity and populism. The film follows how Tony Halme created a mythical, highly masculine freestyle wrestling character, The Viking, who gained fame both in the ring and in the public eye and eventually became captivated by it. With his brash speeches, Halme fired the starting shot for the rise of the Finns Party. The voice of a forgotten section of the population, a protest against the ruling elite, were the building blocks of Halme's popularity. Halme's great popularity has served as a good example of a populist figure, admired within the deep ranks of the nation, who comes from outside the political elite and changes the direction of politics. Also, despite - or perhaps because of - his openly racist statements, he was part of changing the political climate in Finland to a more acrimonious one.
This is the story of Africa's first Boxing World Champion, Battling Siki. Who was this boxer born in Senegal, decorated for Bravery in World War I? Why do so few know that he fought and won the World Light Heavyweight Title aged 25, only to lose it controversially six months later? And why was his life cut short on a New York Street aged 28?
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.
For the past two months, we dedicated out lives to documenting the life of Sam. Every human on a day to day basis encounters a "Sam", a peculiar somewhat unpredictable seemingly valueless person, and what you would probably refer to as "douchebag" or "arrogant prick". We found ourselves unknowingly siding with society until we took the time to really observe and realize the childhood trauma and drug abuse that contributed to creating this flawed but valuable human being.
Andre Ward's journey from the streets of Oakland to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Facing an all-too familiar series of obstacles including substance abuse, the loss of a parent, drug dealing and teen pregnancy, how Ward faced that adversity is what separates him from the rest. Fight after fight he defied the odds and silenced his critics. And then, guided by faith and devotion, he walked away - choosing his role as a father and a husband over his boxing career.
