Projects in genres: Sport

Synopsis

"McEnroe" is an intimate portrait of one of the most explosive and compelling sporting icons of all time. Number One in the world in four consecutive years, John's epic battles with Bjorn Borg helped define the golden era of tennis, yet huge controversy on and off the court betrayed an inner conflict. Set over one New York night, John journeys into memory to explore why a need for connection both drove him and nearly broke him. "McEnroe" features completely unseen archive from some of the biggest matches in tennis history - including the US Open and Wimbledon - as well as home video footage from John himself. Contributions from John's children and his wife Patty Smyth provide a level of intimacy that takes the film beyond a sports biopic and into the realms of something deeply confessional. Compassionate and heartfelt, featuring icons such as Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg and Keith Richards, MCENROE is the definitive portrait of a force of nature powered by the beating heart of New York.
Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival 2022 - World premiere
Official Selection Sheffield DocFest 2022 - People & Communities - International premiere

Synopsis

Jake 100 has built an impressive reputation and amassed a sizeable following through his status as one of the world’s best wheelie racers and tricksters. His Bike Life Circus has helped create a brand-new urban sport, its unofficial races taking place on go kart tracks, cycle parks and around industrial estates. Central to this has been the rapid growth of the ‘knives down, bikes’ up’ movement, with young riders in London amassing to take a stand against knife crime. Director Martin Read captures the energy of these events, putting audiences at the heart of the action and delivering a visceral thrill-ride of a film.
Official Selection Sheffield DocFest 2022 - Journeys - World premiere

Synopsis

A supernova in the world of tennis, as awe-inspiring as he could be explosive, John McEnroe’s combined 155 championship titles still ranks as the highest achievement in the Men’s Open era. But as Barney Douglas’s film shows, this is just one facet of the sport legend’s storied life. MCENROE features previously unseen footage, both from his games and his personal archive. It explores the demons that drove him, while colleagues and friends such as Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg and Keith Richards, along with McEnroe’s wife Patty Smyth and their children, offer an intimate portrait of a singular, incendiary individual.
Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival 2022 - World premiere
Official Selection Sheffield DocFest 2022 - People & Communities - International premiere

Synopsis

The inspirational true story of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel. VINDICATION SWIM depicts Mercedes’ upstream struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England. However, after a rival comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same feat, Mercedes is forced into battle to retain her record and her legacy.

Synopsis

GAZZA is a deeply personal portrait of Paul Gascoigne, one football's most famous tragic heroes. It is also an insight into 20 years of modern British history as it charts the creation media's lust for celebrity gossip.
Told solely with contemporary archive, GAZZA gives a startling new perspective on the profoundly immoral and illegal lengths the tabloid press went to in order to gain access to Paul's private-life and manipulate it for their own gain.

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Professional wrestler Gia Adam and teacher Gabrielle Brown slowly unite and face their biggest challenge to date.

Synopsis

The epic rivalry between iconic boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Julio César Chávez in the 1990s sparked a cultural divide between Mexican nationals and Mexican-Americans. A chronicle of a battle that was more than a boxing rivalry, and examining a fascinating slice of the Latino experience in the process.
Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2022 - International Documentary Premieres

Synopsis

Fearless Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja embarks on a seemingly impossible quest to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in seven months.

Synopsis

An exhilarating, tub-thumping celebration of inspirational jockey Frankie Dettori, the rock star of racing and one of the most decorated sportsmen of all time. Winner of over 3000 races, and fondly seen as the happiest man on the circuit, Dettori has led a seemingly charmed life. But his true story is one of titanic struggle, transformation and renewal.

Synopsis

The extraordinary rise of Olympic Boxing Champion, Record-breaker, Feminist and LGBT icon Nicola Adams. From the streets of Leeds to the world stage, Adams fought her way to the top and changed the game. This is her story.

Synopsis

I AM GOOD AT KARATE follows a young teenager with mental health issues who is passionate about karate, wandering around a housing estate in East Kent locked in verbal and physical battles with a hallucinatory demon made of football shirts.

Synopsis

Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2021 - Special Presentation - World premiere