Spiral

Whilst most young women in her home town of Zambia were busy planning weddings, Esther Phiri had other ideas: to stay single, be a professional boxer and complete the high school education that she abandoned when her family fell on hard times. Her quick and meteoric rise to an undefeated world champion took not only the boxing world by surprise, but sent emotions fever pitch. But whilst the global press rushed to portray her as a strong and confident woman tagged »Zambia’s Million Dollar Baby», in private Esther slowly crumbled under the weight of her success. Adulation and celebrity had increased, but so had criticism, envy and expectations from her family and fans. In the pursuit of independence from a husband, her global success had made her a symbol of hope and empowerment, and a provider for her family and friends whose demands increased as Esther’s fortune grew.

While inviting her ex for a cup of tea, Tanja opens the gate to the past. It’s all about crossing the line into the grey areas of violence in a close relationship.

In the middle of the forest, an old man insists on resisting the confusion of the world. The only sounds that he allows himself are the ones of Nature around him and the typewriter which composes his thoughts. An essential documentary about the vividness and clarity in the eyes of a man who refuses hypocrisy and worldliness.