Doglegs

The 2015 documentary, Doglegs, directed by Heath Cozens, ushers the audience into the little-known world of differently-abled wrestling in Japan where conventionality is defied and where vibrancy, raw emotions, and extraordinary tales of resilience mingle.

Lead protagonist Shintaro, referred to as Sambo Shintaro in the ring, is the focal point of the narrative. Shintaro, a bar worker struggling with some physical disabilities, has, for nearly two decades, been a member of Doglegs, this lesser-known wrestling federation that is inclusive to what society often labels as physically disadvantaged or mentally handicapped. The movie seizes the attention in its unique exhibit of the exploitative, farcical and sometimes even violently hardcore wrestling fights, not to forget the personalized backstories of the participants addressing their limitations, ambitions, and desires. Undeniably, Doglegs, in its entirety, is an atypical exploration of individual identities that have decided to shatter the stereotypes, repulsing normal narratives of sympathy.

However, the film isn't about wrestling alone. It's the sight of men and women with disabilities demonstrating emotional and physical strength in the wrestling ring that essentially challenges viewers to reassess their dominant stereotypes and pre-existing prejudices about disability. Juxtaposed against the struggles of the characters outside the ring, it brings forth the glaring contrast between their everyday life and their persona within the ring, giving a fresh perspective on disability and empathy.

Beyond the general patterns of stereotyping, the movie is also an examination of the individual who is seen grappling with the idea of aging and the looming retirement. Shintaro, aged over 40, battles his inner demons while striving to find a sense of dignity and fulfillment within these unconventional wrestling battles. His mentor, a tough-talking, able-bodied wrestler, Kitajima, presents another perplexing character dynamic in the narrative, revealing aspects of guilt and love in the process. These contours of the narrative bring to the limelight the overt duality and grayness in the relationships and psyche of the characters.

Subsequently, as the movie unravels, it provokes deeper thought about the nature of empowerment, the blurred divides between exploitation and opportunity, companionship and competition, and pride and pity. Heath Cozens plunges headfirst into these themes with a no-holds-barred attitude, capturing the nuances of the wrestling matches with an almost grotesque realism which might take some getting used to for the audience.

There is a significant amount of screen-time dedicated to capturing the reactions of the audience who view these wrestlers with disabilities enthusiastically. Some are presented as being gleefully entertained, while others come across as shocked, some are seen as reveling in the thrill of the combat, and still others, mainly those closer to the wrestlers, appear conflicted. It's these onlookers' varied reactions around which the moral and emotional scaffolding of Doglegs is built, thus emphasizing the role of audience perception framing the cultural attitude towards disability.

Distinctively Japanese in its visual style and narrative pacing, Doglegs is not a typical feel-good, inspiring tale of overcoming adversity; instead, it's an introspective delve into self-acceptance, personal fulfillment, human complexity, and wrestling one's demons in the quest for dignity and validation. It challenges the viewers' perception, entangles them in moral predicaments and presents the multi-dimensional lives of those traditionally shielded by preset societal narratives.

The film's cinematography deserves a special mention too. Raw, immersive and brutally real, the documentary's shot composition captures the intensity of the wrestling matches as well as the emotional turmoil of the characters. The score, subtle yet powerful, adds to the raw, melancholic, and at times chaotic milieu of the whole narrative.

In conclusion, Doglegs is not your typical sports documentary. It is an unfiltered, intimate, and thought-provoking exploration of the lives of a unique set of individuals who use an unconventional platform to manifest their courage, celebrate their individuality, and fundamentally question societal norms. The wrestling arena represents an environment where the differently-abled are not merely objects of pity, but fierce contenders respected for their tenacious spirits. It's a shocking, uncomfortable, yet essential insight into an unusual facet of disability, selfhood, and emancipation.