Murderball

Murderball as a title shouldn’t be taken literally, this is a competitive sport and this is an award-winning documentary about the power politics that lie behind the sport of Quad Rugby. Co-directors Shapiro and Rubin have managed thankfully to avoid a sentimental approach and nor does their film shy away from exposing the internal politics and competitive rivalry that exists between the teams that represent North American giants Canada and the USA and for that reason alone the film is well worth watching.

This is a film that shows clearly that sport is for all and that skill and aggression are not lost just because the team members are housed in wheelchairs. You get the no holds-barred approach of Canadian coach Joe Soares (a man discarded by the American team in 2004 who then switches his allegiance) and Mark Zupan, an American disabled through a drunk-driving collision who regards Soares as a traitor (even though Soares was dropped by his own side) and who gives his all in the heat of the matches but seems almost gentle and philosophical off it.

One hopes that a film like this will be educational to those that think that those with a disability need to be cosseted somehow – it shows all too clearly that the desire to win in sport can override even the biggest personal traumas and Rubin and Shapiro deserve credit for bringing the intricacies and cometitiveness of Quad Rugby to the fore. Don’t be put off by the title – if you’re interested in sport, this is as good as it gets.

Matt Arnoldi