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A Knock Out
Tessa Boerman & Samuël Reizinger / Netherlands
2004 / 54 min / DVD
Turku: Sun Nov 20 at 13.00 / Kino Thalia, sali 1
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Helsinki: Thu Nov 24 at 19.00 / Andorra
Wins her opponents – loses to her image
In the world of culture and arts, sexual minorities have been visible for quite some time now, but in the world of sports, a lot of taboos concerning gays and lesbians still remain. Michele
Aboro, the protagonist of the intriguing documentary film A
Knock Out, is a living proof that in order to get to the top, it's not enough to be the best.
Michele Aboro started boxing in the multi-ethnic South London. Success didn't come easily to a black kid from a poor family, but tenaciously she fought her way to the top with 21 fights won -18 of them with a knock out. Trying to establish a professional career in boxing in the Netherlands, however, Aboro suddenly found herself without a promoter. Her contract was ended because
the promoter didn't believe that audiences would be interested in a masculine, black lesbian boxer. Determined and intelligent Aboro took the case to court and began to fight for her right to fight.
A Knock Out is a revealing and extensive documentary about one side of the sports business. Directors Boerman and Reizinger have interviewed Michele Aboro's family, trainers, colleagues in the ring, promoters, sports journalists, and the businessmen of boxing who all give their side to the story. The film raises important issues such as the meaning of gender, sexuality, and ethnicity in boxing, and it is also a part of the sports theme of this year's Vinokino festival.
+ Gay Volleyball Saved
My Life
David Thorpe / USA 2004 /
8 min / DVD
A self-portrait on David, who at the lowest point of his life
discovered gay volleyball. Along with the game he came a vivid
social life and lovers. (Contains nudity.)
+ Short white pleated
Georgina Lock / UK 2001 / 10
min / DVD
Dexter's squash practises lead to no results until he
decides to try his training partners outfit. This also affects
their trainer.
NOTE!
In Helsinkin there is a discussion
on gays in the world of sports followed by the screening.
www
www.aknockoutdoc.com
Text by
Marjo Pipinen
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