Focus on the wrestler and actor, present at Venice 82 with "The Smashing Machine"
(2025, USA, 123')
The dramatic life and sports journey of Mark Kerr, a wrestling champion who became a legend. His intense relationship with his wife, athletic achievements, and inner struggles—both in the ring and in life—drive a narrative that paints a complex portrait of a public figure constantly balancing glory and torment.
Benny Safdie, known for directing and screenwriting (often with his brother Josh), is also an actor. Together, they presented the documentary Lenny Cooke at Venice’s Giornate degli Autori in 2013, about a young American basketball player. Benny acted in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza and co-directed Uncut Gems (2019), featuring a powerful performance by Adam Sandler.
