Only went to 2 films this year.
Outback Fight Club
They only showed part 2 of this mini series. It was pretty good, and there were 3 of the boxers plus Fred and his family there to present and to answer questions. Its going to be on telly in 2 or 3 months on SBS, so I hope I'll get to see part 1 at some stage. It's about an old traditional show that is going the way of the tumbleweeds. Back in the gold field days, the boxing tent quickly became one of the entertainments to roll into town. An area would be set up where prize fighters from different gold fields would come to fight the champion of the town. Unlike tv boxing, there is no barricaded ring, and anyone can get up and fight Fred's boxers. Have a go. Fred Brophy, the subject of the film, is the 4th generation of his family to run the tent. Back in the day, there were probably 40 or so of these outfits, and Fred has survived them all. Fred now considers whether to retire, and that would be curtains down on this relic of a bygone era.
Comic Con: a Fan's Hope
Every year in San Diego since the 70s Comic Con has attracted crowds of fans, wannabes and pros of the comic world. Although now the focus has moved on to new media such as electronic games and sci fi movies, the con still attracts hundreds of artists who want to break into the genre. The doco interviews big names such as Kevin Smith and Joss Whedon, but essentially follows the paths of 2 artists hoping to get valuable feedback on their portfolios, a group of costume designing teens who have made an awesome animatronic outfit in their own garage, a collector on a mission to acquire an 18 inch collectible figurine and a lovestruck couple who met at the previous con. This was laugh out loud for the crowd as they related and cringed at some really passionate fandom going on. The interviews are tightly editted. There is not a moment too long on any of the glories and disappointments of the protagonists. I always wonder about documentaries that are about no one in particular (i.e. not like a doco about Bill Murray where you just interview his manager and fellow actors...). I mean, how do you find these random people and follow them leading up to Comic Con, hoping for a good outcome that is worthy of inclusion into your final edit? Or has he actually filmed 100 other people? Did he post somewhere online that he wanted film subjects to apply? Anyway, great choice of subjects.
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