For 60+ years, the term “Jewish boxer” has been an oxymoron. But Dmitriy Salita, a 25 year-old Russian immigrant made history as a top professional boxer and a rigorously observant Jew.
While providing an intimate, 3-year long look at the trials and tribulations faced by an up and coming professional boxer, ORTHODOX STANCE is a portrait of seemingly incompatible cultures and characters…boxing promoters, trainers and Orthodox Rabbis…working together to support Dmitriy’s rare and remarkable devotion to both Orthodox Judaism and the pursuit of a professional boxing title. In the end, the film is about more than just boxing and religion, but a young man’s search for meaning in life.
At a time when religion increasingly divides and destroys, Orthodox Stance presents a unique, yet universal, story that provides an example for Jews and non-Jews of the positive effects of faith, tolerance, diversity and pluralism-the things people talk about when they talk about the greatness of America.
“In the intriguingly layered documentary Orthodox Stance, a determined young boxer strives to prove that the laws of God and the laws of the ring need not be at odds.” – Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times (Critic’s Pick)
“Jason Hutts slow-burning documentary chronicles the fascinating career of Dmitriy Salita, an endearingly humble Ukrainian-born Brooklynite (and subject of a 2006 profile in this magazine) who struggles to maintain his faith as an Orthodox Jew while swiftly rising to the top of the professional boxing circuit.”– New York Magazine (Critic’s Pick)
When initially releases, Orthodox Stance received extensive festival play (see below) and is as pertinent now as it was then:
SouthSide Film Festival 2009 (Bethlehem, United States)
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2008 (Atlanta, United States)
Denver Jewish Film Festival 2008 (Denver, United States)
New York Jewish Film Festival 2008 (New York City, United States)
Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival 2008 (Philadelphia, United States)
San Diego Jewish Film Festival 2008 (San Diego, United States)
Boston Jewish Film Festival 2007 (Boston, United States)
Nashville Jewish Film Festival 2007 (Nashville, United States)
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival 2007 (San Francisco, United States)
Sarasota Film Festival 2007 (Sarasota, United States)
SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival 2007 (Silver Spring, United States)
Washington Jewish Film Festival 2007 (Washington D.C., United States)
82 minutes on 1 disc / 2007 / Directed by Jason Hutt
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A NY TIMES Critic’s Pick!