On April 9, Valeria Gai Germanika’s documentary “Emelianenko” was released, an ambiguous drama about the most scandalous MMA fighter. The director got as close as possible to the hero and revealed the most intimate details of his personal life.

“On the true path along the very edge” – Valeria Gai Germanika gets uncomfortably close to the scandalous MMA fighter and reveals different sides of his life: from binges to relationships with women. “Emelianenko” is an ambiguous drama about inner conflict and the will to live.

As Valeria herself says, this is “a film about how Alexander embarks on the true path.” The moral dilemma that worries most of the country’s population: can a person suffering from alcohol addiction be cured, and how should one treat an addict in the active stage?

Even in moments of absolute helplessness, as it might seem at first glance, the director does not perceive Emelianenko as a weak, unaware drunkard. Inner strength, special talent, incredible charisma, and the scale of his personality make him special, a hero of his own life and of the documentary in the eyes of Valeria Gai Germanika. She believes in the super-athlete’s rebirth, but at the same time explores the story and seeks catharsis without excessive bias.

The director reveals the full depth of Emelianenko’s personality not only through his life with addiction:

This is my life, I’m a romantic: drank, fought, went to prison.

 – but also through his relationships with women, family, friends, mentors, and opponents, who, by the way, are on quite friendly terms outside the ring.

Despite the ambiguity of the character and the issues covered in the film, Valeria tries to remain neutral and simply observe, but through small artistic “amplifiers,” her remarks in the frame, and musical choices, one can understand her attitude toward such a contrasting lifestyle: either “along the cliff over the abyss on the very edge” (from Vladimir Vysotsky’s song “Fastidious Horses”), or one step away from victory.

A heavy, intriguing film for both parts of the audience: for fans of Emelianenko and Valeria Gai Germanika. It raises questions, inner contradictions, and joy for the documentary that breaks through to the big screen.

Svetlana-Sofia

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