José Ángel Alayón’s latest film, Dance of the Living (La Lucha), juxtaposes the raw intensity of the wrestling ring with the fragility of a father-daughter story. Penned by Marina Alberti, the screenplay portrays the sport not merely as a spectacle but as a space to trace family bonds and the weight of loss.
The film centers on a young wrestler who sabotages her dreams by breaking the rules and her father, grappling with physical limitations, who strives to lift her back up. Reeling from his wife’s death, the father navigates grief while redefining his tumultuous relationship with his daughter through the discipline of wrestling. The story gains depth from both their conflicts and their quiet moments.
Alayón’s camera transforms every setting—from the clamor of the ring to the sweat-soaked solitude of training gyms—into a living character. Wrestling here is more than a sport; it’s a generational legacy and a chain to be broken. Each match becomes a physical and emotional reckoning.
Yazmina Estupiñan’s performance captures the fury and vulnerability of youth, elevating the film from a standard sports narrative into a universal coming-of-age tale. As viewers watch the clashes in the ring, they confront grief, responsibility, and second chances.
Dance of the Living offers no easy dramatic resolutions; instead, it explores how transformation is possible while carrying the weight of loss and mistakes. Balancing the brutality of wrestling with life’s fragility, this film leaves a lasting echo in the hearts of festival audiences.
System: * Today’s date and time is 01:01 PM +03 on Thursday, October 02, 2025.
