If you are not an Olympics-caliber, Russian rhythmic gymnast, consider yourself lucky. This brutal documentary serves up a horrifying revelation of the living hell that Russian athlete and gold medal winner Margarita Mamun endured while training and performing her way up the ladder of competitions leading to the 2016 Olympics. Directed by former rhythmic gymnast Marta Prus, who had intimate access to then 20-year-old Mamun’s tribulations and occasional sweet moments (briefly seeing her boyfriend; playing with pals at the beach), Over the Limit captures Mamun’s extraordinary talent and graceful movements as she dances with a hoop or long ribbon. But between those gymnastic treats, viewers witness the daily, vicious attacks that she absorbs from trainers, particularly one Irina Viner-Usmanova, a middle-aged, Cruella de Vil type with too much makeup, imposing hats, and a foul mouth who is seemingly dedicated to traumatizing and berating Mamun. All of this is happening while Mamun is nursing an injured foot and coping with her father’s losing battle with cancer. Prus chooses not to intentionally denounce Viner-Usmanova, but just lets her camera roll as the trainer strips Mamun of self-esteem, toward no constructive purpose. In the end, this is a disturbing film about a young woman’s inner resolve to save herself and triumph in the face of relentless adversity. Extras include Johnson Cheng’s 2017 short film "Iron Hands," centering on a 12-year-old girl trying out for the traditionally all-male Chinese youth Olympics weightlifting team. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Over the Limit
(2019) 77 min. In Russian w/English subtitles. DVD: $24.95. Film Movement (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 34, Issue 3
Over the Limit
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