Synopsis
Boxeo Constitución shows how young people in a subterranean boxing gym rebel against the social darwinism of the argentinian social crisis. The movie follows two adolescent boxers from the disenfranchised suburbs of Buenos Aires on their path to their debut fights. This first bout will decide whether they can hold their hopes up to escape the lack of perspective in their neighborhoods in order to "be someone" one day. When some of their colleagues form a boxers union, their youthful enthusiasm is confronted with the harsh social reality of their sport.
About
Below the platforms of the bustling train station Constitución, the catacombs of an industrial nation stretch out for miles. The most important stream of goods in Argentina once used to flow through these ruins, sustained by unceasing shiftwork. Today the pause bell rings every three minutes, interrupting the relentless drumming of a punching ball: Instead of selling their workforce to a boss, the boxers who train down here have decided to invest their energy into their own bodies. They all share one thing: never to accept being victims of the social curcumstances. Boxeo Constitución uses pugilism as a gateway to discover the roots of the identity of the argentinian sub-proletariat.
One of the most decisive moments for a boxer in developing his pugilistic identity is his debut. It represents his first big test, which decides if he has what it takes to start a career as a professional boxer. Or, as our main protagonist Federico put it: "to hold my hopes up to be someone one day." Boxeo Constitución follows him and Colo on their path up to this dramatic event and observes their transformation into pugilists. In the process, they meet seasoned colleagues who already had some drastic experiences in the precarious working environment of professional boxing. In order to counter exploitative managers and promoters with solidarity, they plan on starting a boxers trade union. It is when the individualistic missions of our aspirants confront the harsh reality of the argentinian boxing world and the collective response of the boxing veterans, that Boxeo Constitución develops its documental potential.
Team
Written and directed by:
Jakob Weingartner
Camera: Andrés Riva,
Antonio Schade
Sound: Jakob Weingartner
Editing: Bernd Euscher
Roughcut: Anne Fabini
Music: El Romolón
Sounddesign: Sven Serfling
Audio Mix: Jörg Höhne, Studio Mitte
Foley Artist: Günther Röhn
Color Grading:
Matthias Behrens, waveline
DOP Interviews: Alejandro Doti
Editing Assistant:
Juan Miguel Salas Rodríguez
Finishing Assistant:
Thomas “Momas” Schütze
Produced by:
Jakob Weingartner, Camino Film
Cast:
Federico Rodriguez, Miguel Angel Dewey, Ariel Abalos, José Menno, Miriam Peral de Trotzki, Ignacio Artime, Jonny Sosa