Fake It So Real

Fake It So Real, directed by Robert Greene in 2011, is an intimate and engrossing showcase of the world of independent professional wrestling set in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The documentary follows a small pro-wrestling league known as the Millennium Wrestling Federation (MWF), presenting a behind-the-scenes look into not only the rich indie pro wrestling culture, but also the lives of the wrestlers themselves—in and out of the ring.

The film’s main focus is the week preceding a big event for MWF. Over these days, viewers get a chance to witness the league's wrestlers creating their wrestling personas, practicing high-flying moves, and preparing for their matches. Fake It So Real compellingly showcases how these wrestlers' off-the-cuff creativity and collaboration evolves into the choreographed brawls that have the wrestling fans on the edge of their seats.

Each wrestler has crafted a unique persona, often a larger-than-life version of themselves, with vivid stage names like "Outlaw" and "Pitbull". These characters not only help to sell tickets and engage the audience, but also allow the wrestlers to express and explore parts of their own identities that they might not usually be able to in the day-to-day realities of their lives. Behind each flamboyant costume and attention-grabbing moniker, the film reveals real people, often grappling with their own personal struggles and issues.

Watching Fake It So Real, it is challenging not to marvel at the physical resilience of these athletes. Despite the common criticism that the sport is "fake", the film underlines the real risks these performers take to entertain their audience. They regularly face potential injuries, but continue to dedicate themselves to their craft largely for the love of the game, as most have day jobs that really pay the bills.

What the film does exceptionally well is highlighting how wrestling serves as a salve for these players—many of whom are dealing with personal failures, insecurities, or even mundane lives that don’t ordinarily give them the chance to be recognized or appreciated. Wrestling provides them with an avenue to be heroes, villains, or enjoy the limelight they wouldn't usually experience.

The style of the documentary provides an atmosphere of intimacy between the wrestlers and viewers. Greene, the director, utilizes a fly-on-the-wall style of filming, abstaining from using interviews or voiceovers, which adds to the authenticity of the experience. Viewers feel like they are in the practice room or at the dining table with the wrestlers, sharing in their trials, failures, and victories.

Although the wrestling world often gets looked at with cynicism or disdain, Fake It So Real manages to provide a different perspective. It provides an honest portrayal, not shying away from the brutality and hardships faced by the wrestlers but also pushing viewers to look beyond the physicality and spectacle. Wrestling here is seen as a form of escape, an outlet for expression and creativity, and a source of camaraderie for these men.

Throughout the film, viewers encounter a myriad of personalities, each with their stories, doubts, aspirations, and motivations. Some wrestlers are wrestling with their personal demons and using the ring as their battleground, while others view it as an opportunity to attain fame or social acceptance.

In Fake It So Real, wrestling isn't just a vocation, a hobby, or a passion – it's a kind of weird, wild, wonderful therapy. The film shows how the raw, rugged world of wrestling can bring meaning, a sense of purpose, and even joy to these men's lives. It peels away the glitz and glamour seen in popular wrestling networks, focusing instead on the wrestling heartland. It offers an insight into wrestling's blue-collar roots and stresses the commitment, dedication, and sheer guts of those who live and breathe it.

Whether or not viewers are wrestling fans, Fake It So Real is a poignant and compelling watch. Its appreciation for independent wrestling’s often thankless glamour and a look into the real-life struggles of its characters make it a truly riveting human drama. The film serves as a love letter to the wrestling world, painting it as a celebration of personality, performance, creativity, and most of all, authenticity.