Doglegs

Doglegs

Directed by Heath Cozens
In Tokyo, an aging, handicapped pro-wrestler challenges his able-bodied mentor to one final fight.

Videos

Overview

Genre
Human Interest, Minorities, Sports, and Social Issues
Synopsis

In 1991, a Tokyo support group for the disabled reinvented itself as a hardcore pro-wrestling unit.

For twenty years, they've smashed preconceptions about how the disabled should behave.

But now, the group's star fighter is getting old. He seeks love and acceptance outside the ring, but one man stands in his way - his able-bodied mentor.

Meanwhile, a hard-drinking man with severe cerebral palsy - and a cross-dressing fetish- has vowed to die in the ring. But it seems that the booze might get him first.

The man pouring his drinks, his carer, looks normal, but bears the scars of self-mutilation. He's clinically depressed - and he, too gets in the ring: to raise awareness of his invisible condition. It soon becomes apparent that mental illness and fighting can be a volatile mix.

As these reprobate fighters define themselves through combat, Doglegs challenges us: what does it truly mean to live, love and be truly free?

Stage
finished
Running time
89 minutes

Credits

  • Heath Cozens ... Director, Producer, Cinematographer & Editor
  • Sean Crownover ... Composer
  • Dusty Albertz ... Sound Engineer

Production Details

Country
Japan
Years of Production
5
Locations
Tokyo, Ishinomaki, Nagoya

Distribution Details

Release year
2015
Festivals
Hot Docs, Fantastic Fest, CIFF, GZDOCS, NZIFF, Nippon Connection, NZIFF, BHIFF
Awards
Best Director: Documentary (Fantastic Fest '15), Golden Kapok Semi Finalist (GZDOCS)
Language
Japanese
Subtitles
English

Photos

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