| Director: | Benny Safdie |
|---|---|
| Production: | Out for the Count Productions, Seven Bucks Productions, Magnetic Fields Entertainment |
| Running Time: | 123’ |
| Language: | English |
| Country: | USA |
| Main Cast: | Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt |
| Screenplay: | Benny Safdie |
| Cinematographer: | Maceo Bishop |
| Editor: | Benny Safdie |
| Production Designer: | James Chinlund |
| Costume Designer: | Heidi Bivens |
| Music: | Nala Sinephro |
Cinema
The Smashing Machine
Venezia 82 Competition
Synopsis
The story of legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr.
Director’s Statement
The Smashing Machine: a perfect onomatopoeia for something visual, conjuring images of domination and destruction with ease. Mark Kerr truly was The Smashing Machine. His strength translated out of the ring as well because he had a unique ability to try and explain his emotions. He is a beautiful and complicated person who deals with the ups and downs of life just like anyone else.
We assume that one’s physical stature or physical abilities translates to their emotional strength as well. Just because he looks like the strongest man on the planet doesn’t mean he’s invincible. Our heroes bleed just like everyone else. When you leave that ring, your world catches up with you — and you have to confront the things you may have been running from.
Dwayne, Emily and I kept thought “what is it like to really be Mark Kerr, what is it like to really be Dawn Staples?” We wanted to empathise with these characters in a way that felt like our own feelings. I ended up calling this a kind of Radical Empathy. First, because empathy should be cool and second because I wanted this movie to exist as a memory for everyone who watches it.
Production/Distribution
PRODUCTION 1:
Out for the Count Productions - Benny Safdie
1245 Broadway
10001 New York, United States of America
Tel: +1 212-920-1245
E-mail: bcress@a24films.com
PRODUCTION 2:
Seven Bucks Productions - Erica Young
1245 Broadway
10001 New York, United States of America
Tel: +1 212-920-1245
E-mail: bcress@a24films.com
PRODUCTION 3:
Magnetic Fields Entertainment - David Koplan
4135 Fulton Ave
91423 Sherman Oaks, United States of America
Tel: +1 3106177100
E-mail: jake@magneticfieldsent.com
WORLD SALES:
A24
1245 Broadway
10001 New York, United States of America
Tel: +1 212-920-1245
E-mail: international@a24films.com
ITALIAN DISTRIBUTION: I Wonder Pictures
Via della Zecca, 2
40121 Bologna, Italia
E-mail: distribution@iwonderpictures.it
ITALIAN PRESS OFFICE:
Giulia Martinez
Tel: +39 335 7189949
E-mail: giuliamarpress@gmail.com
Cristina Partenza
Tel: +39 331 6795865
E-mail: cristina.partenza@gmail.com
