DVD Review: THE MATADOR.

LINK: TO YOUTUBE MOVIE TRAILER.

I have never really understood bullfighting.

Ernest Hemingway grew-up in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago,and loved the event, writing furiously and famously about it.

I grew-up in Chicago proper and the only Bulls I saw or heard about played basketball.

And I don't like basketball.

But recently I came across a documentary about bullfighting in the Austin Public Library.

It's called "The Matador."

It is marvelous!

The documentary tracks three years in the career of young David Fandila of Spain as he struggles to become a top-rated bullfighter, suffering setbacks and devastating injuries.

Fandila's quest is informative, riveting and inspiring.

Maybe, just maybe, bullfighting must be respected as a sport and an art... not just a cultural throwback to another more primitive time.

In any case, this DVD is worth viewing...and keeping.

"The Matador"
Stephen Higgins, Producer/Director
75 minutes, 2009
City Lights/ Warner Brothers