The new documentary Chávez
directed by actor Diego Luna,
which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, is outstanding as
it captures the adoration of Mexico’s best boxer Julio César Chávez.
In his directorial debut, Luna exquisitely and thoroughly chronicles
the life of Chávez from his humble beginnings in his hometown of
Culiacan, Mexico, and through the rise of his stardom.
Luna examines Chávez’ life by interviewing several key people including Chávez’ mother who reflected on her son’s early training sessions, in which he hid his passion for boxing, and his son Julio César Chávez Jr. who is becoming a boxing star himself.
The documentary accurately portrays the public’s fasciations with the charismatic boxer by including Chavez’ humoristic personality throughout the film, his larger-than-life stardom in Mexico and the U.S., and delves into Chavez’ relationship with Mexico’s former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
Luna also affectionately encapsulates Chávez’ present years by highlighting the father and son relationship with candid moments in which Chavez senior preps Chávez Jr. before a fight.
The story’s highs and lows are exceptionally emphasized with the film’s score, which includes Cuban-style percussions, horns, traditional Mexican songs and ranchera songs dedicated to the boxing champ.
The beauty of Chávez is that it’s not just a movie for boxing aficionados. It’s also a story about a life that resonates with faith ― faith in family, in identity and roots.
By: ARACELI CRUZ l Souce