Knuckle

The poster is a bit excessive. This is not a documentary loaded with fights. This is a documentary exploring the people who take part in those fights. What makes it excellent is the contrasting attitudes.

It seems like nobody wants to fight yet they incite more fights. The taunts get more inventive with the introduction of camcorders and youtube. The clans record videos and say things in the heat of the moment that provoke more violence.  The brawls are structured events. Two unbiased refs, no illegal hits and no time limit. Some fights go for ten minutes others go for two hours. The results are broken pride, noses and knuckles.

Ian Palmer filmed this documentary over a period of 13 years. His subjects are travelling Irish clans who battle over superiority and the honor of their name. Palmer seems to be transfixed and disgusted at the same time. This makes for a great narrator.

What I love about this documentary is that it takes you to a completely foreign place. The film feels new. You never know if you are getting the straight story from James Quinn McDonagh. His contrasting stories keep the narrative going. He is a great boxer as well.

What is depressing is that the fighting will never stop. Nobody seems happy to be fighting but yet they keep going. The women don’t want it to happen yet are proud of their men. With the inclusion of betting the fights will only get bigger and bigger.

Watch this doc. Learn something. Let me know what you think.