2024 Movie
Dir. Cassius Corrigan · United States of America · English, Spanish
An inspirational figure is made plain by this two-dimensional documentary
Nobody should doubt Tatiana Suarez’s place in the world of mixed martial arts, and it goes without saying how inspirational she can be to young girls who feel they don’t fit a traditionally feminine mold. But a documentary really should do more than just reiterate facts, farm motivational soundbites, and refuse to ask follow-up questions to the most interesting ideas revealed. By the end of The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez, it feels as if the film has repeated the same few talking points over and over, which doesn’t actually make Suarez herself look better, but makes her look more like a product to be endorsed. Any potential discussion that can be had about the dangerous nature of wrestling and MMA—or on how this kind of controlled, organized violence interacts with real domestic violence experienced by Suarez—is quietly dismissed.
Follow the exceptional spirit and drive of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tatiana Suarez as she prepares to reenter the cage after nearly four years away from the sport. Suarez reflects on her journey from wrestling prodigy to professional athlete and the legacy she leaves young women, particularly those in the Latina community.
A profile on MMA fighter Tatiana Suarez and her journey overcoming various injuries and health issues.
The most unconventional thing that The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez does (which it doesn't fully figure out how to use either) is how it gets interview from young female wrestlers still in school, who attest to the confidence that Suarez has been able to give them. This isn't a bad idea, and it certainly breaks up the monotonous momentum from all the other talking heads. But again, the film just doesn't dig deeper into who these girls are, and it just feels like they've been approached by the filmmakers out of nowhere.
Human beings deserve more than to be asked basic who-what-where-when-why-how questions.
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
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