Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana
A CLOWN, A STRIPPER AND A BANANA WALK INTO A BAR....
about the film:
Ronald McFondle, Eddie Van Glam, and other social outcasts made up the Seattle Semi-Pro (SSP) Wrestlers, an off-kilter family of cabaret fighters that spoofed the pros.
When newcomer Paul the Banana fell on the wrong end of the joke, he ran to the government to disband the SSP.
Director Ryan Harvie & John Paul Horstmann
Director of Photography Shea William Vanderpoort
Editors John Paul Horstmann & Ryan Harvie
Composer Duncan Thum
Producers Ross M. Dinerstein, Glen Zipper, Kerri Borsuk
In “Bodyslam,” first-time feature directors Ryan Harvie and John Paul Hortsmann have constructed a documentary just as funny and entertaining as any you’re likely to see — thanks in no small part to the wealth of gonzo performance footage and colorful talking heads they’ve assembled. Their direction possesses a playful lightness of touch that suits the freewheeling film well, while the way in which it takes its subjects passions and emotions seriously prevent it from ever feeling too slight. “Bodyslam,” then, is a humorous and heartfelt look into a subculture most would never know about — and could inspire more adventurous viewers to grab a tallboy and some spandex to start their own semi-pro journey.
There is above all a kind of charm to the character we encounter and a freedom they find. Attending a Seattle Semi-Pro performance may be fun, especially three beers in, while Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana! works having watched it stone-cold sober.
One of the most ridiculous documentaries I have ever seen — and I mean that in the best possible way.
