Boxing has always made for great drama. There have been few moments in the history of the sport as gripping as Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini's tragic win over Korean challenger Duk Koo Kim on November 13, 1982.
Now, 30 years later, Mancini revisits that story in the documentary film, "The Good Son."
"A few years ago, ESPN did a documentary on the Kim fight," said Mancini. "And when it was done, I said, this is as good as it gets. It's done, it's over. But when I was approached about this film, I saw that the director had a different vision. And it was great. The director Jesse James Miller is an artist."
Mancini's film will be the featured attraction on the opening night of The Shadow Box Film Festival. The festival will take place over two days - Nov. 30-Dec. 1 - at the SVA Theatre at 333 West 23rd Street in Manhattan. It will showcase 30 boxing films, including 11 features. The films for this festival were shot in eight countries -- Cuba, Thailand, Germany, United States, Canada, Spain, Argentina and England.
"I think a boxing film festival is a great idea," said Mancini, the former lightweight champion of the world. "I am really looking forward to coming to New York City for this festival. This I know for sure. More films have been made on boxing than all the other sports combined. Boxing parallels life and people understand that. That's why there are so many well received boxing films. You get knocked down, you get back up. The idea of an all boxing film festival is long overdue."
Just prior to the screening of "The Good Son," a panel discussion will take place on why boxing lends itself to great film. It will be moderated by Showtime's Steve Farhood and will include Mancini, former WBO heavyweight champ Michael Bentt, former junior middleweight contender Mark McPherson, HBO's Emmy-winner writer Aaron Cohen, filmmaker Chris Kenneally and star of the boxing drama "Lights Out," Holt McCallany.
"Boxing is inherently dramatic because of the risks that fighters take when they step in the ring," said McCallany. "The challenges they must overcome. The belief they must have in themselves. The physical courage and mental discipline they need to succeed. Boxing, above all other sports, is a metaphor for life."
There will also be a special showcase for Oscar-winning director Leon Gast. On Saturday. Dec. 1, Mr. Gast will screen a highlight reel of his work, which will include a preview of his upcoming documentary on Manny Pacquiao. The screening will be followed by a QnA with Mr. Gast. At the conclusion of the QnA, the critically acclaimed documentary film, "Buffalo Girls," will screen.
"We are extremely fortunate to have such a great line up of films for the first annual Shadow Box Film Festival," said festival director David Schuster. "We feel that fans of both boxing and film will enjoy our festival."
Boxing Film Festival Schedule:
NOVEMBER 30, 2012:
SILAS THEATRE
1 p.m. - "A Fighting Chance," Directed by Robert Cassidy
3 p.m. - "Short Jabs," a collection of 12 short films
5:30 p.m. - "Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears," Directed by Mike Todd
7:30 p.m. - "QnA: Boxing and Drama," hosted by Steve Farhood
8:00 p.m. - "Jeffrey," directed by Nathaniel Hansen, "The Good Son," Directed by Jesse James Miller
BEATRICE THEATRE
2:30 p.m. - "Knockout Kuba," directed by Manuel Benito del Valle
4 p.m. - "The Story of Jamie "Mooresy," Moore," directed by Dale Hooker
6 p.m. - "Boxing Constitucione," directed by Jakob Weingartner
8:00 p.m. - "Square Circle," directed by Chelsea Brodsky, "Shadow Boxers," directed by Katya Bankowsky
DECEMBER 1, 2012:
SILAS THEATRE
1:00 p.m. - "Irish Ropes," directed by Robert Sarnoff and "La Peur Au Ventre," directed by Francois Fournier. "Street Animal," directed by Doug Harden.
2:30 pm - Short Jabs, a collection of short films
6:00 p.m. - Special QnA with Oscar winner Leon Gast, inlcuding a preview of his upcoming Manny Pacquiao documentary.
8:00 p.m. - "Jeffrey," directed by Nathaniel Hansen, "Buffalo Girls," directed by Todd Kellstein
BEATRICE THEATRE
1 p.m. -- "I wear the Scars," directed by Patrick Hickey; "Bobby Cassidy: Counterpuncher," Directed by Bruno De Almeida
2:45 p.m. -- "Ricky," directed by Kevin Wagoner
5:00 p.m. - "The Long Road Home," directed by
