SPARRING PARTNER, THE
[EL CHATA]
Although Samuel has enough talent to be a boxing champion, he seems destined to receive blows like a punching bag, as a mere sparring partner. His former coach Joe, who is training a new prospect, decides to put him to the test. Unable to feed his family and with temptations all around him, Samuel only thinks about getting back in the ring to prove that his time in prison has changed him and that he is reformed and determined to win back his family's affections. However, back in the old neighborhood once again, he learns the hard way that a fresh start won't be so easy and that he has no alternative but to keep his gloves on at all times. While the possibility of migrating seems to offer a fresh start, Samuel knows that no matter where he goes, he will never be able to escape his turbulent past. (Note adapted from Studio Creativo.) Honorable Mention, Best Narrative Feature, World Cinema, 2018 Urban World Film Festival; Official Selection, 2018 International Film Festival Rotterdam and Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival. DIR/SCR/PROD Gustavo Ramos Perales; SCR Xenia Rivery; PROD Carmen E. Díaz. Puerto Rico, 2018, color, 75 min. In Spanish with English subtitles. NOT RATED
No AFI Member passes accepted.
Run Time: 75 Minutes
Opening Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
Genre: Sports, drama
