Fightville

Bam! Bam! Bam!

WARNING! - If you are someone who simply cannot enjoy (even slightly) watching a man being royally pulverized by another, then "Fightville" certainly isn't gonna register as entertainment for you.

But, on the other hand - If you wanna see the real thing here where a bunch of very dedicated young men (who seem to have a lot of inner-rage to vent) punch the living daylights outta each other (all in the name of glory with little or no monetary gain), then this well-produced documentary (from 2011) is certainly worth a view.

Through interviews with MMA fighters, their trainers (and, yes, even opinions from concerned parents) - Fightville introduces the viewer to these feisty, pugilistic, young lads from Gladiator Academy (located in Lafayette, Louisiana) who travel around the State with promoter Gil Guillory in order to proudly demonstrate (to the ever-curious public) all there is to know about anger-management, one-on-one combat and the disciplined art of MMA fighting.

Yes, cheesy as it sounds, I DID feel the fight in Fightville.

I will not tell you too much because you should see it for yourself, but I loved experiencing the up close access that this documentary shows. I love that the documentary is presented in the words of the families, the promoters and most of all the fighters. You can't help but feel the pain and sweet in this documentary. Pretty intense and very real.

There was a bit of culture shock for me in this documentary too. I can't say I knew what a grind the sport is for those "down in the trenches" looking for a shot. You'll know what I mean when you watch it.

This film takes you inside the lives of people who are literally fighting for survival. They are doing everything they can to just win and fight another day. From the promoter to the fighters themselves this is an look inside the cage that left me in awe and with a deeper understanding of not only the sport but the people inside it.

The film makers did great job getting interviews with the fighters, trainers, and promoters to present a amazingly real and close up document of the facts of their lives. I would also add that this does not glorify the violence of the sport but the commitment that all those involved have toward each other. It is beautifully shot and thoughtfully presented.

I recommend this not just to fight fans but everyone because at the end of the day this is not a fight film. It is a survival film and a story of hope.

Fightville is such a pleasure to watch. I've been to two screenings and loved it the second time as much as the first.

It's easy to fall in love with the characters. The film captures their full personalities and offers an intimate view of their lives.

The story is tight, and taps into the universal drive to go after one's dreams without being heavy handed or cheesy.

Michael Tucker really got into the fights with his camera and his cinematography works wonderfully.

What surprised me the most is how many funny moments they managed to find in a documentary about MMA fighting. That's probably my favorite part.

Fightville is a documentary mostly based on two fighters (Dustin Poirier and Albert Stainback)

In dead end Louisana the documentary covers both their stories and explores their Personalities/Psychographics through MMA (Mix Martial Arts). MMA is hugely frowned upon and called 'Human cock fighting' but this documentary prevails that MMA is a way to keep people of the street and turn them into Physical/Mental/Social Perfectionists, as being a established fighter within MMA is their dream .

Tim Credeur (UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Veteran and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) Black Belt) their coach renowned for starring on the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 is like a guide/father figure and to those training at Gladiatots Academy gym as he has seen the Sport of MMAs Ups and Downs.

Beautiful Cinematography and Footage of Fights is not limited like similar documentaries

Summing it up:

Two Fighters, Two Personalities, One Coach, One Dream.