MDFF 2021 - By Rook or Left Hook - The Story of Chessboxing
A self-sabotaging British promoter and a self-promoting Dutch performance artist battle for control of professional Chessboxing, a sport conceived in a comic book that combines boxing and speed chess.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer David Bitton
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! It has been over ten years in the making so to say I'm thrilled to finally be sharing it with people would be an understatement.
I'm very attracted to ideas and concepts that seem absurd or silly, but are actually brilliant when you get past your initial reaction and think about them for a moment. I first discovered chessboxing in a newspaper I was leafing through here in Toronto. I came across a photo of two sweaty, shirtless men sitting at a chessboard - in a boxing ring! It took me a moment to process what I was even looking at. When I read the accompanying article, I knew right away that this would somehow figure into my next film. What I didn't know was that it would consume my life for the following decade!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Although the film does go into the history of chessboxing and we see some events and get to know some of the fighters, the sport itself is peripheral to the story of the film, which is actually focused on the two people who have devoted their lives to making chessboxing a success - former TV exec Tim Wooglar in London and performance artist/inventor of chessboxing Iepe Rubingh in Berlin. Both of whom are fascinating characters and could carry a feature film on their personalities alone. They have a bit of a bromance (to use an outdated term) but clash in their opposing visions for the sport. Their personal struggles and how their relationship develops I think is universally relatable. The film also offers a glimpse into the birth of a sport, which is pretty fascinating in itself.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I put an enormous amount of thought into what chessboxing is and what it represents. The concept originated in a comic book, was brought into reality as an art performance and is now an actual sport practiced by hundreds of amateurs worldwide. Fundamentally I think what's interesting about it is that it's trying to strike a balance between the two aspects of humanity which are often viewed as being in conflict with one another - mind and body. I was very lucky in that the two primary subjects of the film reflected this dichotomy almost perfectly - Iepe being more strategic, calculating, and cold in his approach; Tim being more hot-blooded, chaotic and emotionally-driven in his. Throughout the film, the two are attempting to find a balance between their own visions for the sport as well as in their own lives - Iepe between art and commerce and Tim between his work and his marriage. Whether or not they are able to achieve that balance is the real story of the film, I think that this theme is an important one in today's increasingly polarized world.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Back when I filmed my first footage in 2010 in Berlin, I had no idea if this topic would sustain a ten-minute short, let alone a feature-length film format. Although no one was explicitly telling me about it, I quickly sensed a conflict going on between Tim and Iepe, and was able to capture the story as it unfolded in real-time over the course of eight years.
I worked with my executive producer Ed Cunningham (who produced The King of Kong and Oscar-Winning doc Undefeated), who helped me focus the 450 hours of footage I collected into the 1h43m of pure cinematic gold that is By Rook or Left Hook - The Story of Chessboxing!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film just premiered in June at the Doc Edge festival in New Zealand which I was thrilled about, but as the film was only available on-line (this year's edition was hybrid with only limited screenings in-person due to the pandemic), it was unfortunately impossible to get any direct feedback from the audience, but the few early reviews that have been written have all been very positive so far, so I'm pleased about that
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would just love for more people to become aware of the film, to generate interest in it and for the sport itself as well.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this point I'm looking to get the film shown in as many places as possible as it's a film I'm very proud of with a positive message that I think people will enjoy and benefit from seeing. I think that it's a film that would work wonderfully in a theatrical setting, so I'm hoping the situation will allow for social distancing measures to be lifted (and stay that way) so that the film could have a theatrical run, or at least play at festivals in an in-person setting. Any buyers, film festivals or journalists who could help make the film be seen more widely are welcome to connect and discuss how to get this film to the world!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
This is my first feature-length film. I spent over a decade of my life (my entire 30s!) crafting it and my hope is that it will be seen and appreciated by as many people as possible. If it can help me get my next film made that would be a nice bonus as well!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
If two polar opposites like chess and boxing can be meshed and work together, then why shouldn't people be able to find common ground between opposing viewpoints? It isn't easy, but it can be done and I hope that in some small way, that the film can help reverse the polarization we are seeing in the world right now.
Would you like to add anything else?
Although this film in many ways felt like a solo effort, I just wanted to thank all of the people who did help support me over the course of making it - from the people in the chessboxing world who let me in to the crew members who helped out for very little pay to the Kickstarter backers who helped fund part of the film when I needed it the most, to Ed Cunningham who has been indispensable throughout the process, my friends and family and most of all my wife who has been unbelievably supportive and patient as I grappled with this beast.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Before making this film I made a narrative short film, and I'd like to get back into fiction filmmaking. I'm currently developing a concept for an animated TV series and also a science-fiction feature film near-future-apocalyptic type of story. I'm also a freelance editor and am looking to do some more narrative work.
Interview: July 2021
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
By Rook or Left Hook - The Story of Chessboxing
Length:
1:43:11
Writer/Director/Producer
DAVID BITTON earned a degree in Film Production at Montreal's Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and his professional debut, the 2009 terror short Parking Space, played at over 20 festivals around the world. By Rook or Left Hook is his first feature.
Looking for:
distributors, buyers, film festival directors, journalists
Social media:
https://twitter.com/PineappleProds
https://www.facebook.com/ChessboxingDoc
Hashtags used:
#chessboxing #byrookorlefthook
More info:
https://www.journeyman.tv/film/7864
Where can I watch it now?
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival/AUSTRALIA - July 1st-31st, 2021