Skip to main content

Sheffield DocFest · 2012

Sheffield DocFest 2012

This Sporting Life

In this Olympic year, DocFest goes behind the scenes to bring you something a little different.

Programme

11 films · 4 reviews

Jump to a film

Bones Brigade: An Autobiography

When six teenage boys came together as a skateboarding team in the 1980s, they reinvented not only their chosen sport but themselves too – as they evolved from insecure outsiders to the most influential athletes in the field.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Stacy Peralta; Stars: Stacy Peralta, Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Steve Caballero, Tommy Guerrero, Lance Mountain, Mike McGill) , Official site

China Heavyweight

In central China, where a coach recruits poor rural teenagers and turns them into Western-style boxing champions, the top students face dramatic choices as they graduate – should they fight for the collective good or for themselves?

(Year: 2012; Director: Yung Chang; Writer: Yung Chang; Stars: Zongli He, Yunfei Miao, Moxiang Qi, Zhong Zhao)

The Four Year Plan

A behind the scenes look at the bid that saved Queens Park Rangers from bankruptcy and the drama in both boardroom and locker room as strict new rules took effect.

(Country: UK; Year: 2011; Director: Mat Hodgson)

Glory Road

Three young Liverpudlian boxers dream of success - but what exactly does that mean?

(Country: UK; Year: 2012; Director: Steve Read)

Jesse Owens

The story of the black Olympic athlete whose prowess humiliated the Nazis but who returned home to a life of opression and exclusion in racially segregated America.

(Country: United States; Year: 2011; Director: Laurens Gant)

The Life And Times Of Paul The Psychic Octopus

A documentary about Paul, the octopus whose uncanny World Cup football predictions made him an international superstar.

(Country: United States, Switzerland; Year: 2012; Director: Alexandre Philippe; Stars: Paul)

One Breath - The Story of William Trubridge

It looks simple: you hold your breath and go as deep into the water as you can. But as William Trubridge has learned, triumphing in the dangerous world of free diving is all about mind over matter.

(Country: United States; Year: 2012; Director: Nicolas Rossier)

The Other Dream Team

Review preview for The Other Dream Team

A real slam dunk.

Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
The 1992 Lithuanian National Basketball Team went from the clutches of Communism to the Summer Olympics in Barcelona – a testament to the powerful role of sports as a catalyst for cultural identity.

(Country: Lithuania, US; Year: 2012; Director: Marius A. Markevicius; Writer: Marius A Markevicius, Jon Weinbach; Stars: Jim Lampley, Bill Walton, Greg Speirs, Mickey Hart, Arvydas Sabonis, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Dan Majerle, David Stern, Charles Smith, Jonas Valanciunas, Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, David Remnick, Vytautas Landsbergis, P.J. Carlesimo) , Official site

Full review

Ping Pong

Review preview for Ping Pong

This might not seem like the most exciting piece of cinema but you'll be surprised by how quickly you find yourself rooting for its vivacious heroes.

Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
A documentary following eight players on their way to the over-80s world table tennis championships.

(Country: UK, Canada; Year: 2012; Director: Hugh Hartford; Stars: Les D'Arcy, Rune Forsberg, Sun Lao, Terry Donlon, Dorothy DeLow, Lisa Modlich, Ursula Bihl, Inge Hermann)

Full review

Undefeated

Review preview for Undefeated

There are fights between players, season-threatening injuries, bashful romance and inspirational team talks, but none of it feels false.

Robert Munro · 4 out of 5
Meet the coach who is determined to help Mannassas High School football team overcome their 110 year losing streak.

(Country: United States; Year: 2011; Director: Dan Lindsay, TJ Martin; Stars: Bill Courtney)

Full review