If there is a sport that has left its mark on the history of cinema, that is undoubtedly boxing, and the biographical film about the legendary Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán confirms the dramatic and narrative possibilities of this discipline.
The Panamanian boxer is one of those few figures who have received the recognition of the entire American continent, thanks to his flamenco style on the ring, but also to his indomitable character, forged in the streets, which made him a charismatic character beyond the borders of your country.
With the production of the powerful Harvey Weinstein and, above all, with the presence of one of the best recent versions of Robert de Niro, “Hands of Stone” (“Hand of Stone”), premiered out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, It narrates in a somewhat conventional way, but with as much power as an uppercut, Durán’s victories and his resounding failures.
Because the biography of “Mano de Piedra” is a chronicle of successes, which made him one of the best lightweights in history, but is marked by a defeat that was recorded in the annals.
On November 25, 1980, in New Orleans (United States), Durán abandoned the rematch for the world title that he had granted to another boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard in the middle of combat, just a few months after having beaten him in Montreal (Canada). .
That fight was left for posterity as that of “no more”, the supposed words that the Panamanian said when he retired due to the humiliation he was suffering.
The young Venezuelan director Jonathan Jakubowicz, 38, handles the story with a pulse and masterfully shoots the fighting scenes, while also not falling into hagiography, by drawing a charismatic Duran but with numerous shadowy areas.
It also focuses on the almost paternal figure for Duran of the American Ray Arcel, one of the greatest boxing trainers, who is portrayed with great subtlety by De Niro, who was personally involved in the film.
“I wrote the film and brought it to De Niro, and it was a process of several months before he agreed to make it. He was a fundamental part of the movie. We shot it without Weinstein, even though he was flirting with her. When we showed him the material, he decided to enter, “he said in an interview with Efe.
The director began to develop the film seven years ago, after settling in Los Angeles, where he did not stop receiving proposals that did not convince him.
“Movies of Latinos and with Latinos in the United States always show a horrible Latino, drug dealer or criminal, and I said: ‘Damn, why do all the movies show us Latinos like (Donald) Trump shows us ?! He reflected.
For this reason, he found in Durán someone who broke the stereotype and who also, as he had an American coach, represented well the dichotomy between Latin America and the United States.
Durán has received hundreds of proposals throughout his life to bring his life to the screen. But it was only after Jakubowicz pushed himself to death and gained his trust that he decided to leave the story in his hands.
«This is not the story of a saint. He is a nuanced person, with an explosive personality but at the same time with a wonderful soul and an optimism towards life that makes the audience identify with him. You still want him even if you see him doing things you don’t want him to do, “he explained.
To play “Mano de Piedra” Jakubowicz opted for the Venezuelan Edgar Ramírez, while the Cuban Ana de Armas gives him the reply as his wife Felicidad, “who is the one who really commands.”
Both met and forged a strong relationship with Durán and his wife, who last night, at the premiere of the film, received the screening with tears.
The film has the political background of the US presence in the Panama Canal, but Jakubowicz is not afraid that this could affect the film’s journey in the United States.
“The US has changed a lot and has become more self-critical, and that has already helped the presidency of (Barack) Obama. I feel that Durán is the Bridge of the Americas (which is in Panama). His story talks about the relationship that all Latin Americans have with the United States, which is one of love-hate and dependency, “said the filmmaker. EFE
VIDEO: “Hands of Stone” brings the legendary boxer Roberto “Mano de Piedra” Durán to the Cannes Film Festival
