CRADLE OF CHAMPIONS follows three extraordinary, inspiring individuals—James Wilkins, Nisa Rodriguez, and Titus Williams—on an urban odyssey through a ten-week tournament, founded in 1927, that has produced more professional world champions than the Olympic Games. Telling a compelling story of dreams, heartbreak, and redemption, the result is a unique work of art. CRADLE OF CHAMPIONS is edge-of-the-seat drama with the polish of a Hollywood feature film and the intimacy of a gritty cinéma vérité classic.
Director Bartle Bull is a noted author and journalist who has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times and many magazines and other newspapers.
Led by legendary Director of Photography, Tom Hurwitz ASC, (VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR, QUEEN OF VERSAILLES; NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT AND ANDERSON COOPER), the camera department behind the film is an unprecedented collection of talent including Kirsten Johnson (CITIZENFOUR, CAMERAPERSON), Matt Porwoll (CARTEL LAND), Wolfgang Held (ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE), and Nadia Hellgren (TRAPPED, SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN, FAHRENHEIT 9/11).
Editor Michael Levine is an acknowledged vérité master whose work includes RESTREPO among many others.
Producer Maiken Baird (ICARUS, CITY OF GHOSTS) is a twenty-year veteran of the high profile feature documentary world. Executive Producer Donald Rosenfeld (TREE OF LIFE, JODOROWSKY’S DUNE, REMAINS OF THE DAY) was the President of Merchant Ivory Productions for over a decade
Release Dates: March 8, 2019 – North America on DVD and VOD
Directed by: Bartle Bull
Genre: Documentary
Specs: 99 min