An invigorating boxing tale as well as a meditation on religious devotion, "Orthodox Stance" — a documentary in the Tucson Jewish Film Festival — packs a wallop.
Director Jason Hutt follows Dmitriy Salita, an unbeaten, 25-year-old pugilist who staunchly observes Orthodox Judaism as he rises to glory. The film contains engrossing ring footage as well as tantalizing behind-the-scenes juice, including Salita's contract negotiations and the hiring and firing of trainers. But you get the feeling that the real meat of Salita's story will emerge in the next decade. "Orthodox Stance" is only Chapter One.
Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Salita moved with his family to Brooklyn at age 9, fleeing religious persecution at home. But his new classmates made fun of his Russian clothing, and at age 13 he took up boxing, channeling his rage into wins.
Salita won the New York Golden Gloves tournament in 2001 at 139 pounds, then leapt into a pro career under big-time promoter Bob Arum.
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"Orthodox Stance" follows Salita from his early 20s. He tastes success and its myriad temptations, but his focus on faith keeps him grounded. Salita observes the dietary laws, requests bikini-clad ring girls not be used in his bouts and refuses to fight on any of the holy days, including Shabbat, which occurs weekly from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, causing some Saturday fights to be delayed.
"If anyone wants a whupping from me, they got to wait until after sundown."
Salita's resolve is comparable to that of pitcher Sandy Koufax, who famously sat out Game 1 of the 1965 World Series in observance of Yom Kippur. Salita's religion has become more of a benefit than a hindrance, his back story giving him a novelty and inherent promotability in a sport dominated by blacks and Latinos.
Salita, who will appear at Sunday night's screening at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, seems to be as much ambassador as athlete, making a speech in Spanish at an event in Puerto Rico, and answering tough questions from fellow Orthodox Jews at a grill session, brushing aside pleas to stop fighting and laughing off an inquiry about whether he'll ever fight in a beard and yarmulke.
It's not race or religion that wins Salita his following, however, but his dogged focus and relentless energy in the ring. Each screening of "Orthodox Stance" will make Salita fans out of most anyone who watches.
Jewish Film Festival
The 17th annual Tucson Jewish Film Festival started last Saturday and runs through Jan. 22 before starting again Feb. 10 and Feb. 24.
Festival director Susan Silverman said the event got off to a great start with more than 500 people attending opening night.
Here's a look at the remaining screenings. Times and titles are subject to change. General admission to screenings is $8, and screenings are at the Tucson Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted.
Today
• 7 p.m. "Diary of Niclas Gheiler," "Souvenirs."
Friday
• 1 p.m. "Toots."
Saturday
• 7:30 p.m. "Aviva, My Love," $15.
Sunday
• 1 p.m. "Curious George" (free screening).
• 3 p.m. "Sima Vaknin, Witch."
• 7 p.m. "Orthodox Stance," with an appearance by the film's star, Dmitriy Salita.
Monday
• 7 p.m. "Sweet Mud."
Tuesday
• 7 p.m. "Gorgeous" at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway.
Feb. 7
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mah Jongg Day Film/Lunch, $25.
Feb. 10
• Noon. "Samuel Bak: Painter of Questions."
• 2 p.m. "Rape of Europa."
Feb. 24
Screenings at the University of Arizona's Gallagher Theater.
• Noon "The Schwartz Dynasty."
• 2 p.m. "Knowledge Is the Beginning."
• 5 p.m. "Aviva, My Love."
