For competitive athletes — especially those from the poorest regions — the road to Olympic glory is fraught with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But every four years, hopefuls from around the world set out to overcome these odds and go for gold. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (20 Feet From the Stars) profiles three such athletes in the gripping documentary “A Chance to Fight.”
These fighters fight not only for personal gain and the gratification of achievement. An Olympic victory would change the lives of her family and lift the spirit and morale of her entire country. With insatiable determination, they endured years of grueling training, mental battles and devastating setbacks, representing the best in us all.
The film follows each protagonist’s grueling journey to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. They have no sponsors and no well-funded supporting events. Instead, they rely on the love of their families, the hope of their community, and an inner drive to push the limits of their potential.
On the island nation of Vanuatu, nestled in the vast South Pacific Ocean, a group of young women have found their calling in the space above the volleyball net. Travel from London to Seoul in preparation for the ultimate event. For many, this is the first time they have left their homes. Nearly 9,000 miles away in the Dominican Republic, another athlete is expressing her ambition in the boxing ring to become the first woman to win an Olympic medal in her chosen sport. She put her life on hold to keep up, including her desire to have a family of her own. In South Africa’s neighboring Lesotho, a marathon runner has given up everything he owns on the track and is trying to use his race winnings to build a home for his family.
Movement imbues each of them with purpose, representing a path to a better life. By investing in the deeply personal journeys of these athletes, A Fighting Chance reminds us of the purity and power of our dreams.
Directed by: Morgan Neville
