Goat

Director: Ivan Ostrochovský

Cast: Peter Baláz, Nikola Bongilajová, Stanislava Bongilajová, Ján Franek

Slovakia, Czechia, 2014, 75', color

 

Peter “Goat” Baláž is a former Olympic boxer. He and his girlfriend Miša live in a dilapidated housing estate, constantly struggling to make ends meet. Miša learns that she is expecting a baby. She decides to terminate her pregnancy and she wants Goat to find the necessary money. Goat, who has not trained in a while, steps back into the ring, hoping to earn some much-needed cash and possibly change Miša’s mind. He and his manager, Zvonko, embark on a “tour” through uncountable fights, where success seems impossible and yet is never forfeited. How many blows must Goat take, in order to earn a decent family live? Goat features Peter Baláž, who competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and Ján Franek, Olympic medallist from Moscow 1980, as his coach. Featuring the outstanding performances of non-professional actors and blurring the lines between representation and presence, Goat is a powerful and haunting challenge to the concept of authenticity.