Oxbow Lake Films is proud to present the US theatrical release of ORTHODOX STANCE, a documentary by Jason Hutt.  This film will open in New York on Friday, January 25 at the Cinema Village, following its screening as the Closing Night film at the New York Jewish Film Festival.  ORTHODOX STANCE will open in Los Angeles in February, and other cities will follow.

For the last 60 years, the term “Jewish boxer” has been an oxymoron.  But Dmitriy Salita, a 24 year-old Russian immigrant is making history as a top professional boxer and a rigorously observant Jew.  While providing an intimate look at the trials and tribulations faced by an up and coming professional boxer, ORTHODOX STANCE is a portrait of seemingly incompatible cultures and characters working together to support Dmitriy’s rare and remarkable devotion to both Orthodox Judaism and the pursuit of a professional boxing title.  The film travels with Dmitriy from his home in the Russian section of Brooklyn to a dilapidated Orthodox synagogue, from a Black and Hispanic amateur gym in the projects to boxing’s biggest stages in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Puerto Rico.  Intimate verite scenes of torah study, prayer, and keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath on the road are juxtaposed with training, weigh-ins, business negotiations and locker room and fight footage.  In so doing, the film reveals a first-of-its kind insider’s view of professional boxing and a first-of-a kind professional boxer.

After 4 years and 22 professional fights, the film culminates with Dmitriy fighting for his first professional title in front of a rabid crowd of boxing fans and Orthodox Jews at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom.  The Hasidic Reggae singer Matisyahu sings Dmitriy to the ring and Dmitriy rewards the crowd with a knockout victory.  As Dmitriy exits the ring, he has solidified his credentials as a professional boxer and a modern day Jewish sports hero.  ORTHODOX STANCE tells a universal story of a young man’s search for meaning in life and will enable viewers to understand and appreciate boxing and boxers like never before.

82 min.  2007  In English; in Russian, Hebrew and Spanish with English Subtitles  USA