GURGLE, Pulling Water, Sunday, May 21, 3:00 p.m.
This illuminating and spirited documentary film celebrates the excitement, life lessons, history, challenges, humor, danger, adaptive achievements, and sacred moments surrounding the sport of rowing–once the most popular spectator sport in America.
The documentary is followed by a post-screening discussion, with director Richard Van Kleeck who will be at the Theatre to talk about his film and to answer questions.
Directed by Richard Van Kleeck with original music by Sean Schafer Hennessy, ‘Gurgle: Pulling Water’ is an hour-long documentary that charts the rise, appeal and fascination with the sport of rowing. Featuring both veterans of the sport and its admirers, the documentary explores every facet of the sport in great detail, ultimately becoming a fascinating peek into the uncharted and often complicated world of rowing.
The greatest strength of the documentary lies in how it correlates the struggles of the ancient empires for speedy transport over water to the current sport that constitutes rowing. Plotting the journey of the sport from the Vikings and the Romans, the documentary wastes no time in summarizing how this intensely competitive sport has transformed from a niche to one of the most famous sports played around the globe. Another great facet of the documentary is how inspiring it is. It is fascinating to see both veterans and athletes talk about the sport and how rowing provides each individual a unique experience in regard to judging his or her strengths and limitations. In spite of its brutal nature, what is mind-blowing to discover is that there is an exact science to it all, and winning a rowing competition takes more than muscle, grit, and strength. In addition, there is not a single dull moment throughout the documentary’s entire hour-long runtime. The narrative pacing, visuals, and interviews ensure that rabid fans of the sports are as much entertained as those with only a passing interest in rowing. Richard Van Kleeck has made a fantastic love letter to the sport, one that soars above and beyond into the clouds.
‘Gurgle: Pulling Water’ is hopeful, inspirational and above all, a terrific love letter to the sport of rowing. Gurgle: Pulling Water is a must-watch documentary. Gurgle, Pulling Water is a pay-what-you-can event.
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