The Champion
A former Iraqi boxing champion reflects on his journey to pursue the American dream.
Estaifan Shilaita drives a cab in Chicago. But once upon a time, he was a boxing champion in Iraq. Still, despite his success in the ring, his Christian faith prevented him from representing his country on an international stage.
Facing persecution for his religion, Shilaita fled Iraq in 1976 for Greece to pursue his boxing dream. With his family's blessing, he left behind four brothers, four sisters and his parents. Ultimately, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1979 for "a better life and religious freedom."
This fascinating documentary traces the turns and twists that he took from Iraq to the U.S., where he arrived to be with the woman he loved. Well-paced and sharply photographed, it's also the portrait of a likable, engaging man who has created an equally warm and appreciative family around himself, beginning with his wife.
Shot over the course of several years, "The Champion" has an authentic emotional heart, resulting in a warm, genuine film with an eternal message about the primacy and power of family.
"I tell my kids, this is the land of the opportunity to be anything you want," Shilaita added. "Everyday I'm blessed. I say to my family, 'God bless America.'"
By Oliver Goodrum |
Drama
A man who bullied a disabled girl tries to escape his past. Then an angry mob finds him.
By Candice Carella |
Drama
A single mother leaves her young daughter with a rock musician uncle.
By Richard Prendergast |
Drama
A single mother takes her family on a road trip. But it's to an unwanted destination.
Twin sisters turn into rivals when one's gymnastics career steals the spotlight.
By Abraham Adeyemi |
Drama
2 friends meet at their favorite fried chicken shop. But their lives have diverged.
A man is trapped on a spaceship after his robot overseer finds every planet uninhabitable.
A homeless teen meets a deaf-blind man who changes his life forever...
A man's suicide attempt rips a hole in the ceiling. Then he befriends the boy upstairs.
A man is forced to dig his own grave in the desert. But the ground is hard.
By Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell |
Drama
A young helpline operator takes her first call and gets more than she expected.
A devoted husband suspects his wife is cheating on him. Then he hides under the bed.
A young boy accidentally shoots a stranger and the town tries to cover it up.
A young dancer falls for a deaf guy, then tries to find her place in the world.
An awkward girl doesn't fit in at school. Then the Internet comes to save her.
A burn-survivor goes on his first date after his accident.