Newton Abbot filmmaker makes acclaimed wrestling documentary: Hard Knocks

Hard Knocks was nominated for best documentary of 2009 in the Norwich film festivals and is due to be released on DVD soon.

Interview with Hard Knocks director Arthur Cauty, by Darren Wood.

Professional wrestling is a sport that is often misunderstood by large amounts of people. Ridicule is something that the wrestling business has had to endure for years even though the majority that poke fun know next to nothing about it.

23 year old Arthur Cauty from Newton Abbot is attempting to change those perceptions with his documentary Hard Knocks, a 40 minute film that aims to show the passion and desire of the men and women who put their body on the line every time they enter the squared circle.

“I want to capture the artistry and admirableness that has captivated so many fans,” States Cauty. “I’m not saying I want people to watch my film and instantly become fans of wrestling, I would just like them to come away with a better understanding of what wrestling is and to respect it.

“I think I have managed to achieve that, People have spoken to me after watching saying it has completely changed the way they see the business, which is the reaction I was looking for.”

Hard Knocks comes hot on the heels of applauded 2008 feature film The Wrestler, which was the first mainstream movie to approach the sport in a non farcical way. 

“Countless films over the years have been made about boxers and other athletes, The Wrestler was the first drama to approach the sport seriously; there are people I know personally who have come away from that film with a deeper respect for the sport.

“But as you will see in Hard Knocks, there are still people who are willing to shoot it down.”

Professional wrestling has and will forever bridge the gap between reality and fiction, with fans of the industry never quite knowing where the line is drawn.

“I guess the reason why wrestling is badly misunderstood is because on the one hand people are being told ‘it’s a sport’ then on the other that it’s ‘entertainment’ and ‘predetermined’. People just don’t know how to approach it is it real or fake?

“It’s both,” Exclaims Cauty. “Wrestling is a sport, but it’s non-competitive, it’s a performance. Similarly when you watch a film, watching wrestling is all about suspending your disbelief. Nobody ever complains that films are fake.”

Last year saw Hard Knocks screened across the UK, Europe and the USA, the film was also nominated for best documentary in 2009 at the Norwich film festival.

Cauty has high hopes that his film can enjoy even more success in the coming months.

“The film has been received really well; the DVD release is just around the corner. There has been a lot of interest in me doing another wrestling movie, which is a possibility somewhere down the line.

“With filmmaking what matters is the story and how you tell it, it’s all about how you translate your vision to the screen. What I plan to do with all my films is just tell good stories.”