Graciano Rocchigiani - Das Herz eines Boxers

One of the most moving biopics of modern cinema.

Truly captivating and intimate portrait of one of Germany's most important yet too often overlooked boxing stars. Besides portraying Rocchigiani in all his complexity and ambiguity, the film also makes you reminisce the "good old days" of Berlin in the 80-90s where a sense of freedom ruled the streets and backyards. So it's not only something for boxing fans, but basically a fascinating glimpse into one of Germany's (and Europe's) most complex and defining eras of recent decades.

The fact that the biopic features many of Rocchigianis long time friends and family makes it even more intimate.

I recently had the pleasure of watching a documentary that truly stood out in its ability to seamlessly blend information with excitement. As someone who doesn't typically engage with boxing, I found myself captivated from the opening scene to the final credits. What sets this film apart is its unique ability to strike a balance between being both personal and emotional, as well as delivering moments of humor and sadness. The documentary effectively manages to reflect and differentiate the historical events within its backdrop, providing a comprehensive and nuanced perspective.

One aspect that significantly enhanced my viewing experience was the thoughtful selection of music throughout the documentary. The soundtrack not only complemented the narrative but also resonated with me on a deeply emotional level. It added an extra layer of depth to the storytelling, making it an even more immersive and memorable experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend this documentary to anyone, regardless of their interest in boxing, as its universal themes and compelling storytelling transcend the specific subject matter. It has the rare quality of being both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Furthermore, I am eagerly anticipating future works by the director, Freitag, as this documentary has left me impressed not only with the subject matter but also with the director's skill in crafting a narrative that resonates on multiple levels. In conclusion, this documentary is a must-watch for its ability to engage, inform, and evoke a range of emotions, and it has undoubtedly piqued my interest in the director's future projects.

A really impressive movie which made me feel all the emotions, root for the characters and even cry a little.. even though I didn't know anything about boxing or Rocky before! The movie takes you through the various steps of the life of Graciano Rocchigiani, told through authentic and touching statements of friends, family and journalists. I learned that boxing is about more than just hitting each other brutally, how the sport changed through the years from underground to more mass-/higher-class appropriate, and what a major role one special person played in Graciano's life and this men-dominated world... no more details so that there is no spoiler!

A great work of the director Christin Freitag, I am really looking forward to her future work.