The story of Jose Maria Gatica, better known as Gatica el Mono, Argentina's main boxing star during the 1940s and 50s.
Acting
Nieva's physical transformation—he IS the broken champ.
Direction
Favio's poetic realism turns boxing into religious ritual.
Cinematography
Black-and-white that makes poverty look almost beautiful.
Director
Leonardo Favio
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Gatica was Argentina's first true sports celebrity; his 1963 death drew 150,000 mourners to the streets of Buenos Aires.
Edgardo Nieva was a complete unknown—Favio discovered him working as a butcher. The casting gamble paid off with one of Argentine cinema's most iconic performances.
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