With This Ring

About the film

Extras

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2016

• Feature

• 91 min

unrated

Documentary, Sports

Directed by Ameesha Joshi & Anna Sarkissian

Three Indian women sidestep traditional roles to become world champion boxers. Worried that boxing will scar their faces and hurt their chances of getting married, their parents are reluctant to embrace their chosen careers. For these women, boxing is their lifeline, their source of income, their community, and ultimately what rips them apart.

Mumbai International Film Festival, Cinema of Resistance Film Festival , Atlantic Film Festival, Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Asian American International Film Festival, Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival, New Jersey International Film Festival, New York Indian International Film Festival

About the film

Extras

Director's Statement

Upon finding out that India not only had a national women’s boxing program but was also dominating at world championships, we knew we had the makings of a great story. But this is not a boxing film per se–it’s an intimate portrait of three women making difficult choices. Our characters have been criticized, mocked, and pressured by their families to stop boxing and settle down. Despite facing personal and financial hardships, they have continued to excel at the highest level, winning numerous world titles. We spent 10 years making this film because we wanted to highlight the strength of women who are equal parts determined and talented. Initially we saw them as fierce competitors and we were inspired by their ambitions. We got to know them over time as individuals, daughters, wives, and mothers. After spending so many years following them, we have come to regards them as friends. We feel strongly that their stories should be circulated, and known.

Reviews

"It was important to share the stories of these inspiring women who had accomplished so much against all odds and were falling so far under anyone's radar."

Rediff

"Joshi and Sarkissian say the film also helped them understand the passion and desperation to succeed in a sporting career — most of these boxers are from financially weak backgrounds and a career in sports is their hope to change their circumstances."

The Indian EXPRESS

"It’s a documentary about following your dreams. Told through the sport of boxing, the film inspires people to pursue their passion even when the odds are against them."

Global News Okanagan

"With This Ring shows the incredible highs and heartbreaking lows that occur in these boxersʼ lives over a span of six years."

Kelowna Capital News

"40-50 girls shadow boxing. Moving in unison, breathing in sync. Some letting out spasms of "ahs" and "arghs". Some too tired to make a sound. With the sun setting on the sweating girls, this felt like some majestic reckoning with fate.

Catch News

"With This Ring….is a sentence usually followed by “I thee wed”, but you are in for a big surprise. This is not a feature film about romance and happily-ever-after stories, although three young women are involved and they do get married. This indie movie is India’s answer to A Million Dollar Baby, except that it was not produced by a big Hollywood star nor does it feature a young woman who became a star after playing the role of a female boxer. Nor is it a screen-writer’s phantasy. It is a heart-felt and joyous documentary produced by two young Canadian women over the course of six years and multiple visits to India and other boxing championship venues."

Montreal Serai

"India's female boxers gamble marriage for fame in documentary by Concordia grads"

CBC News Montreal

"The story gets a boost from its raw visuals. It’s indicative of the changing technologies from the film shot for a long time. But it also catches its subjects in the background, sensing their fighting styles. It even shows some of their competitors, showing as much joy and pride as they do. It’s nice to see a film with such sensitivity towards people in front of its camera."

In The Seats