Boys With Broken Ears

Boys with Broken Ears is a creative feature documentary exploring the hopes and struggles of young Iranians told through the dream of becoming an Olympic Wrestler. In Iran wrestling is a very popular sport with historical roots in the country’s religion and mythology. It is like football for the Brazilians or boxing for the Cubans, and Iran has consistently produced outstanding world champions that have gone on to win Gold and Silver at the Olympics.

However almost all wrestlers come from the slums and poverty-stricken districts and Wrestling has provided a very slim chance to make something of their lives. As a result two million youngsters try to make it to the national youth team ever year in Iran, but only a handful do.

With unprecedented access to the national youth team, the film follows three main characters who come from very deprived areas of Iran, but whose skills and determination have got them into the team. They are preparing for the biggest events of their careers so far- the world youth championship in Hungary.