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Shadow Boxers is a 1999 documentary film directed by Katya Bankowsky, featuring the lives of two women, Michael Bentt and Lucia Rijker, who are the reigning champions of boxing. As a documentary, it follows their individual lives and training regiments, covers their early beginnings, and lets audiences into their private lives. The film is uniquely structured as it explores the lives of the two boxers. Unfolding in a non-linear fashion, the documentary has no traditional plot structure or an objective in mind. Instead, the interviews and interactions of the women portray their struggle towards excellence in a sport that has historically been male-dominated. Throughout the film, their lives intersect to depict their daily lives, their triumphs and losses, and their battles with the stigma that surrounds female boxers.

Michael Bentt is an underdog from New York City who was once on the brink of success in boxing. But after a devastating injury in the ring, he struggled with his career and personal life for years. In the film, Bentt speaks about his difficult journey back to the ring, finding his true path in life, and how boxing shapes his outlook.

On the other hand, Lucia Rijker is a kickboxing champion turned Golden Gloves champion. She has an unusual backstory and a strong personality, much different than Bentt's. She is depicted as a fearless fighter who is incredibly persistent despite the constant obstacles placed in her way. Throughout the documentary, her intersecting narrative with Bentt's portrays the different ways each of them approaches their sport, their motivations, and their relationship to the outside world.

Shadow Boxers features fascinating interviews with the two boxers, as well as other champions. It follows their day-to-day lives and routines, from early morning training to night-time bouts with their opponents. The film also shows the intense training, determination, and discipline it takes for these fighters to reach the top of the sport.

But what makes the documentary unique are the different perspectives that it presents on the sport of boxing. Bentt and Rijker are shown the same way their male counterparts have been in the sport, with no coddling or overprotection. The documentary raises some serious questions on the challenges that women in a male-dominated sport face, including financial difficulties, femininity stereotypes, and the impact of media on the sports.

One of the central themes of the documentary is the notion of resilience and grit in the face of adversity. The film highlights the physical strength and perseverance required to become a boxing champion but also showcases the emotional strength and mental fortitude needed to overcome personal and cultural obstacles. The fighters are shown as human beings with relatable experiences, making the documentary a powerful, yet touching narrative.

Overall, Shadow Boxers is a complex, multi-layered documentary that deftly handles its subject matter. The film challenges traditional notions of gender in sports while paying homage to the raw strength and power of boxing as a sport. Ultimately, the stories of the fighters – their struggles, motivations, and passions – is what makes the documentary a compelling and moving one.

Shadow Boxers is a 1999 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 70.