Festival Archives: Summer Screenings

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Sumodo: The Successors of Samurai Sumodo - Samurai wo tsugu monotachi

  Sakata Eiji

  Japan      2020    

Synopsis

The world of sumo wrestling has always been something of a mystery to the world at large. Who are these gigantic athletes who willingly, violently collide with one another? Sumodo: The Successors of Samurai peels back the curtain on this invigorating sport by exploring the lives of the wrestlers themselves. Featuring rare footage of rikishi in training, the film offers a portrait of two dedicated wrestlers as they train, eat, and compete in larger-than-life tournaments in their quest to attain sumo’s highest rank.

 Japanese with subtitles 
  104 minutes

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Logo: Consulate General of Japan in Chicago 315x65

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Knuckle City

  Jahmil X.T. Qubeka

  South Africa      2019    

Synopsis

Dudu, a womanizing, aging professional boxer is threatened by a young up-and-coming talent. When his career-criminal brother, Duke, is released from prison, the two leverage criminal connections in hopes of one last shot at a comeback, fame, and glory. Rendered with bracing visuals and a human touch, Knuckle City examines the legacy of apartheid and its impact on South Africa’s Indigenous communities.

 Xhosa with subtitles 
  124 minutes

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South Africa Consulate General

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Breaking Ice

  Jason Branagan

  Ireland      2020    

Synopsis

Tired of watching the Winter Olympics pass by without any Irish representation, a ragtag band of determined and talented multi-sport athletes banded together to brave the dangerously icy tracks and form a bobsledding team. Breaking Ice combines fascinating archival footage and charm-filled interviews with members of the 1992 Irish men’s bobsledding team to tell the previously untold story of the country’s first-ever Winter Olympians—a portrait of struggle, resilience, and national pride.


  70 minutes

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Logo: Ireland Consulate General 239x75

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Nadia, Butterfly

  Pascal Plante

  Canada      2020    

Synopsis

Young and in her prime, Nadia decides to retire from her career as a world-class swimmer to escape a rigid and demanding life of sacrifice. After her very last race at the Tokyo Olympic games, Nadia drifts into nights of exploration and excess punctuated by episodes of self-doubt. But even this transitional numbness cannot conceal her true inner quest as she searches to define her identity outside the world of elite sports. An official selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.

 English, French with subtitles 
  106 minutes

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Logo: Canada 313x100

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Champions Campeones

  Javier Fesser

  Spain      2018    

Synopsis

Marco, an assistant coach in Spain’s top basketball league, has both attitude and anger issues. One night, after a particularly bad game, he finds himself in hot water with the law. In court, the judge sentences him to the worst possible punishment for a man with his oversized ego: coaching a team of young men with disabilities. Through their guilelessness, tenderness, and good humour, they will teach Marco about the things that really matter. This comedy with enormous heart is a celebration of the true champions of life.

 Spanish with subtitles 
  123 minutes

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Logo: Instituto Cervantes (wide) 820x75
Logo: Instituto Cervantes (30 years) 154x100Logo: Consulate General of Spain 296x100