Murderball (2005)
"What these guys here have put together
will just heighten the awareness of the sport" - Mark
Zupan at SXSW
The title sure makes this sound
like a low-budget remake of "Rollerball," but that
isn't what we have here. Murderball is, in fact, the
informal name for a sport played by paraplegics in
modified wheelchairs. The participants dribble or
pass a ball similar to a volleyball down a court and
score by taking it into an end-zone. It's a fairly
simple game made more aggressive by the players as
they crash into one and other, often toppling opponent's
wheelchairs over, in order to prohibit them from scoring.
In the age of political correctness, when all "new"
sports are trying to appear legitimate and attract
corporate sponsors, the name Murderball just won't
work, so the participants have renamed the sport,
Wheelchair Rugby. Tournaments are played nationally
and worldwide and there is even an Olympic version
of the competition.
"Murderball," the documentary, focuses
on the American team of athletes competing in this
sport. We meet the participants and learn of their
lives, particularly how they became paraplegic. The
stories are as varied as the individuals. A particular
spotlight is put on Mark Zupan of Austin, who was
thrown from the bed of a pick-up truck driven by a
drunk friend when he was the age of 18. The friend,
Chris Igoe, didn't know he was sleeping in the back
of the truck. Several years later, their friendship
is, obviously, a bit strained because of this and
the duo provide much emotional resonance to the film
when they come together again, talk, and become closer.
But most of the drama here revolves
around Joe Soares, a former USA team member who was
dropped from the team in the late 90's. Joe returned
as the coach of the Canadian team much to the dismay
of his former teammates. The US team faces the Canadian
team on three different occasions during the course
of the film and the outcome of each meeting is quite
surprising. Although Joe is demonized by the film,
he is a fascinating person and his story, including
his relationship with his wife and his young son,
become important moments in the film.
The filmmakers here also include
many asides. A young, newly disabled Motocross rider
is highlighted and eventually becomes interested in
the sport. Also of particular notes is the continual
discussion of sexuality by the physically- challenged
subjects who, somewhat insistently, discuss their
sexual prowess. Some humor is injected into this discussion
with the inclusion of an "educational" film that teaches
newly disabled men how to engage in sexual activities.
There may be too much time spent
with this sideline stories and backgrounds of the
participants because we often wish there was more
attention to the playing of the titular game here.
While several matches are included, they often seem
to be glossed over to get to their eventual outcome.
This film's is more interested in talking about the
participants' lives than the game they play or their
approach to the game. We get a basic understanding
of Murderball and see some highlights but we are really
left wanting to understand the power and the excitement
of the game.
But these athletes are fascinating
people and their stories never cease to amaze and
inspire us. We watch these men struggle to dress themselves,
move about in the world and be involved. We see their
strength and intensity, their refusal to be defeated.
It's a struggle they take to the court with them when
they play and one that has great impact on the viewer.
It's poignantly ironic that a filmed called "Murderball"
is really about the beauty and the passion of living
life to the fullest.
Notes:
With a great score including a song
by Polyphonic Spree.
The film won the Audience Award
and a Special Jury Award for Best Documentary when
it premiered at Sundance in 2005.
The film has been picked up by ThinkFilm
but no release date has been set yet to the best of
my knowledge.
Viewed at SXSW in March 2005.
