'Dawg Fight' Trailer
Monday, December 12, 2011 Rakontur Films (@rakonturmiami) is noted for their gritty, honest potrayals of unpopular(some would say taboo) subjects - Cocaine Cowboys 1 & 2, The U, Limelight, Square Grouper and their latest Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke.
Dawg Fight continues the same tradition, delving into the underground world of backyard, bare-knuckle brawling.
Having a background in boxing and family members who have boxed professionally you immediately understand the risks these guys take - people die in the ring. Boxing is a violent sport. It is because of this that I appreciate the film even more.
On the surface it's easy to dismiss the subject matter, its participants and spectators as shallow unrefined and exploited, but what Rakontur does is change the perspective and take us deeper into the thoughts, minds and lives of this unique group.
It's not a group of unsophisiticated people doing some ignorant shit in the middle of the day, but individuals who have exhausted many of life's options literally fighting to improve their lives... honestly. The boxing acts as as a release for the boxers and the crowd. It also gives those who have great relationships with shame, a chance to turn the tables and experience pride and adulation - even if it is for one hot Florida afternoon.
The catharsis allows some to be forgiven and others to forgive themselves.
It's not pretty, it's not politically correct but... it's real. After watching the fighters who appear in this film all you can think is, "God bless 'em all".
