THE MATADOR

If you are ever going to ‘get’ bullfighting, this film, while it fully acknowledges the currently rising tide of opposition, will be the one to do it.

“The filmmakers spent three years following the handsome young bullfighter David Fandila on his quest to become one of the world’s best matadors. Their documentary, shot mostly in Spain, contains some of the most breathtaking and dramatic bullfight sequences ever shot, which stand in stark contrast to Fandila’s home life, where he shyly and lovingly relies on his parents and brother for strength and comfort. Fandila’s accomplishments in the bullring are intensely athletic (he’s the Gene Kelly of his sport) – it’s startling to see his shyness all but disappear as he becomes an intense showman in combat. The film gives time to detractors who consider bullfighting brutal, but the rich cinematography and the compelling score by John Califra portray it as a passionate spectacle.” — Bruce Diones, New Yorker