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Orthodox Stance | 
 enlarge | Director: Jason Hutt
Actor: Dmitriy Salita
Studio: Indiepix
Buy New: $22.49
New (5) from $22.49
Format: Color, Dvd, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 82 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 845637000524
EAN: 0845637000524
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Great Doc May 12, 2009
K. Emhoff (Brooklyn, NY)
Jason Hutt is a very talented director. Anyone who happened to catch his first documentary "Breezewood" would also really love Orthodox Stance. Though the documentary is about a boxer - the characters who surround him and the story that is told make this a film even non-sports fans can enjoy. It's a story about an immigrant who has a religious awakening upon the death of his mother - who finds as much salvation in the ring as he does at Temple. For me, as an insider in the sport of boxing, I especially liked the behind the scenes look you got at training, the hob-knobbing with the press and network execs and the grind of contract negotiations. But there is a little something for everyone in this film - highly recommend!
A Boxer Rising February 27, 2009
Amos Lassen (Little Rock, Arkansas)
"Orthodox Stance"
A Boxer Rising
Amos Lassen
Many people do not think of Jews in professional sports. There have been several--Hank Greenberg, Mark Spitz, Sandy Koufax but by and large it is not an area that most Jews aspire to. In "Orthodox Stance", we meet Dmitry Salita, a Russian immigrant, a religious Jew and a professional boxer. The film shows how Salita fits into each of these communities as well as the incompatible cultures and characters in them. Even though the film seems to be about boxing and religion, it is more about a young man's search for meaning in his life.
In the very beginning of the movie, Salita cancels a fight in Turkey because the promoters scheduled it on the Sabbath. It was at this point that Salita realized that Friday night fights were not to be for him. He does fight to fight on Saturday nights but only after sundown. He also adheres to the other 70 days of holidays throughout the year and this shows us how religion interferes with his career and how he manages to respect them both.
Salita has been lucky enough to have sympathetic promoters and he eventually ends up fighting in Las Vegas and as his reputation grows so does his fan base. Salita came to America from Odessa and is a devout member of the Flatbush synagogue and when he received the opportunity to fight in front of his Russian/American community, he finds the approval he needs to forge on.
Between fights he is a cabdriver and he closely observes the dietary laws and all of the other rules of Orthodox Judaism. It is his determination that gives him the ability to win over his opponents in the ring.
Salita began training to box at 13 and about the same time he made the decision to become an Orthodox Jew. Outside of the ring he is sensitive and thoughtful and his decision to follow Orthodox Judaism could indeed have hurt his progress in the ring. Dietary laws and observing the Sabbath as well as other aspects of the religion make competition in athletics difficult. As an American immigrant and believer in the freedom of religion as one of the principles upon which this country was founded, Salita has refused to give up his religious ideals in order to become a success. He is respected by many because of his commitment to his faith but his boxing talents are the ultimate test. Salita began to win bout after bout and moved onto to a title.
Salita has the qualifications to be labeled a "colorful character". He is something new in the sport of boxing but he is also a careful person with his eye on the future. His trainer respects him completely, his rabbi does not quite understand him in regard to boxing but most important is that he knows himself.
Director Jason Hutt looks at the high points of Salita's life and career and gives us some wonderful ringside coverage. Salita is a man that has talent and we see that clearly, He takes us on his tour of Salita's life from meeting his largely secular family, his friends at his synagogue and his fellow fighters. We look at a time when religion divides as much as it pulls us together but here we have a unique story that gives us an example for Jews and non-Jews alike that faith, pluralism, tolerance and diversity can exist side by side and that they truly describe the greatness that is America.
An amazing story January 15, 2009
S. Marion (Middlebury, VT United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Though I'm a fan of boxing films (especially covering the era up through Ali), I think this film will appeal to those not usually drawn to boxing. Given the demands of the sport, boxing films often have a quasi-spiritual, almost monastic feel to them. This film has a double dose of that since the boxer in question, Dmitriy Salita, is not only a Ukranian-born immigrant to Brooklyn, but an observant, Orthodox Jew.
Orthodox Stance, like the best documentaries, leaves you wondering if the director simply lucked onto an amazing story. The answer in this case is yes--for the main character is incredibly compelling--and no--for this film is skillfully made (staying out of the way of the various personalities while allowing them to speak for themselves) and then assembled into something truly memorable. A great film full of great scenes, Orthodox Stance has stayed with me since seeing it over a year ago. Highly recommended.
Best Boxing Film Of The Century! January 15, 2009
alignm2 (Potomac, MD)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Jason Hutt brings to the screen a true story of a real fighter in every sense of the word. Dmitriy Salita grows equally as a skilled boxer, a religious Jew and most importantly as a man with a robust level of integrity. As the film progresses one becomes wrapped up in the personal and professional life of Dmetriy Salita rather than in only the actual boxing, which is spectacularly chronicled by Mr. Hutt. I was fascinated by the way all the women in the audience were captivated and empathetically enrolled into the story. Well worth the viewing time!
Amazing movie! January 15, 2009
Eric Cohen (Brooklyn, NY United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Very well directed, and a very compelling character - this film breaks new ground. The main character is presented in an authentic and genuine way, and those around him add to his unfolding life saga. I heartily recommend!
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