It's hard to avoid clichéd descriptions like "knockout," but director Marieke Niestadt's documentary delivered a punch when it screened at the 2014 Macon Film Festival. The film follows Australian-born female boxer Diana Prazak as she trained with boxing champion Lucia Rijker for a high-profile match with Sweden's Frida Wallberg. Director Niestadt enjoyed uncommon access to the pugnacious Prazak and the chanting, Buddhist powerhouse Rijker as they prepped for the bout with Wallberg on her own turf in Stockholm. Nicely structured, with footage hopscotching between the central fight and the weeks leading up to it, "Bittersweet" is a surprising character study. It's about an outsider/underdog trying to prove herself against a blond stereotype -- a Swedish Barbie with gloves, if you will. And it grows almost unbearably suspenseful in its last half hour.
2 Reviews
Excellent
medical-939-4511913 March 2014
Truly enjoyed this film about a female boxer preparing for her upcoming fight for the WBC World title against a beautiful blond Swedish undefeated boxer. A must see whether you like or dislike sports in general or whether you like or dislike boxing. It is emotional, its funny and it is dramatic. It is all about overcoming your own fears. Getting to the correct weight. Setting goals. Believe in yourself. Do not give up or give in. Prepare yourself mentally for the unknown. It is a lesson we all need in our day to day life. Overcome your fear. This film stays with you. I am sure you will visit the internet to learn more about the characters as I did
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