Coming to NYC’s Rooftop Films this Thursday, July 28: FAKE IT SO REAL
Robert Greene premiered his look at wrestlers at True/False earlier this year. I wrote about the film in my coverage of T/F for indieWIRE, saying:
As suggested by its title, Greene’s film confronts artifice, in the form of its subject. In his third feature-length doc in as many years (OWNING THE WEATHER premiered at Full Frame 2009, while KATI WITH AN I screened at T/F last year), Greene profiles a group of would-be professional wrestlers – they haven’t quite been able to make money yet – during the lead up to one of their shows in North Carolina. Exploring what goes into the sport/spectacle – from character development to physical training – the film also brilliantly captures a unique men-only world – veteran performers haze rookie pretty boy Gabriel, curiously obsessed with playfully questioning his heterosexuality – a recurring theme for the group which also includes another wrestler who portrays a flamboyant gay character.
Note: Greene will be present for a Q&A after the screening, joined by subjects from the film, who will then engage in a live wrestling “Battle Royale.”
what (not) to doc 