Spartans

Well-made film from a documentary film making standpoint. However, it seems like that both the director and the main protagonist himself failed to understand that his methods of "teaching" kids the art of MMA are pedagogically wrong, counterproductive and in many ways atypical of what you can usually see in most MMA clubs. Especially when it comes to teaching kids.

The main character might have good intentions, but motivating these kids with aggression, yelling, bulling, and mind gaming is not the way to keep them "on the right path".

French director/producer/writer Nicolas Wadimoff embarked on a film project to cover the Marseiile's Quarteir nord, known for "it's drug trafficking, gang shootings and kalashnikos". Along the way, he met Mixed Martial Arts champion/fighter Yvan Sorel, part hard-ass, mentor, fighter, husband, son and community activist. In a neighborhood long deserted by it's governing body, Yvan has become not only a Martial Arts instructor, but annotated as confidant and principal adviser to a handful of youth who may have otherwise fallen victim to their surrounds. Wadimoff provides a gritty, personal and at times heartbreaking glimpse into a world that few may understand, yet many may be able to relate to. While I'm not a believer that the "sport" of fighting/boxing/martial arts is the only key to "getting out of the neighborhood," SPARTANS does expose that the discipline and training that goes into the sport can strength friendships and build character and dreams. SPARTANS (dubbed in English) was the 2015 Robert Drew Verite Award Winner at the Palm Springs American Documentary Film Festival. The next AmDoc Film Festival is scheduled for March 31- April 20, 2016.