The Matador

No matter how much you think you know about the Spanish tradition of bullfighting, filmmakers Nina Gilden Seavey's and Stephen Higgins’ documentary about matador David Fandila’s struggle to climb to the top of his profession by completing 100 bullfights during a season, is an informative and thrilling experience. Still in his early twenties, Fandila is a consummate sportsman who has given up a career in pro skiing to follow his family’s heritage and become a matador. The filmmakers do a terrific job of balancing Spain’s conflicted relationship to bullfighting with the dark spectacle of "El Fandi’s" irrefutable showmanship in the arena and his humble dedication to his craft outside the ring. Fandila’s family serves as a tight-knit support group for their talented kin and the film provides an intimate macro/micro portrait of Spanish cultural traditions. For all of its inherent gore and breathtaking surprises, "The Matador" is an essential window on the personality of an athlete working in an incredibly dangerous sport.

(City Lights Pictures) Not Rated. 75 mins. (B+) (Four Stars)