murderball
Somewhere between rugby and the demolition derby is 'murderball'. This is a bone-crushing game of rugby on wheels played by teams of men with limited function in all limbs.
This riveting documentary chronicles the battle between the US Paralympic Rugby team and Team Canada, who ultimately slug it out for victory in the 2004 Paralympics. But there's more to this story than sport. One-time US star Joe Soares is now coach of Team Canada, and he's determined to beat the team that ditched him. But not over the maimed bodies of his opponents, especially team captain Mark Zupan. Murderball gives us a pass to the locker rooms, where we gain plenty of scoops on the competitive spirit and the back-story behind the bone-jarring on-court competition.
"Watching these athletes in action both on-court and off reverses every preconception one has ever had about the (disabled), but it also redefines what it is to be a man, what it is to live a full life, and what it means to be a winner." - Sarasota Film Festival
D Henry Alex Rubin, Dana Adam Shapiro P Jeff Mandel, Dana Adam Shapiro WS Think Film Company TD 35mm/col/2004/85mins
Henry Alex Rubin was born in USA. His films are Who is Henry Jaglom' (1997), Murderball (MIFF 05). Dana Adam Shapiro was born in USA. Murderball (MIFF 05) is his first feature.