The american wrestler wizard biography for kids

American Wrestler: The Wizard

2016 American film

American Wrestler: The Wizard is a 2016 American sportsbiographical film directed by Alex Ranarivelo. The film centers around the world of competitive high school wrestling and stars George Kosturos as Ali Jahani, a 17–year old who escapes Iran in the 1980s after the Iran hostage crisis and must adjust to life in a small California town only to face more hostility due to the hostage crisis.[1]William Fichtner, Jon Voight, Ali Afshar, Gabriel Basso, Kevin G. Schmidt and Lia Marie Johnson also star in supporting roles.

Cast

Production

Development

The idea for American Wrestler: The Wizard is heavily inspired by producer Ali Afshar who took up wrestling in his high school after fleeing from his home country of Iran due to the political outrage in the 1970s.[2] Speaking on his take of biographical films, Ali stated that he wanted to show that any tough situation can have a positive impact no matter what the outcome. He wanted to emphasise the demeanour of how one's loss can actually be turned into a win.[3]

Majority of the filming took place in Petaluma, California, with scenes being shot at Casa Grande High School (which was renamed to East Petaluma High School for the film), as well as Tomales high school for hallway scenes, cafeteria scenes, as well as the gymnasium being used for some wrestling scenes. Some scenes were also shot in Santa Rosa mainly in the Sonoma County area.

Music

Jamie Christopherson who previously worked on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and The Crow: Wicked Prayer composed the film's score. Christopherson used a blend of traditional orchestra and synths and worked with Iranian musicians.[4] He also co-composed the film's theme song titled "Rise" with Armenian-Iranian singer, Andy featuring American singer Shani Rigsbee.[5]

Release

The film premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 23, 2016 and had a limited theatrical run starting May 3, 2017.

Accolades

Sequel

The sequel titled American Wrestler: The Fighter was announced by producers Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar. Principal photography began in North Carolina in June 2017. George Kosturos returns to star with Tommy Flanagan, Bryan Craig, Sean Patrick Flanery and Parviz Sayyad joining as new cast members.[10]

References

  1. ^McMahon, Vanessa (31 May 2017). "Interview with Actor George Kosturos for 'American Wrestler: The Wizard'". Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 Sep 2018.
  2. ^"TCW meets up with Ali Afshar, Actor/Producer of the upcoming movie, American Wrestler – The Wizard". The California Wrestler. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  3. ^Templeton, David (21 August 2018). "Made in Petaluma: Wrestling drama with deep local roots". Petaluma 360. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  4. ^"Projects". jamiechristopherson. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  5. ^F. Ebbinghaus, Peter (3 May 2017). "New Release: American Wrestler: The Wizard by Jamie Christopherson". Behind the Audio. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  6. ^"2016 AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS". Austin Film Festival. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  7. ^Terry, Joshua (7 October 2016). "'American Wrestler' Tops Boston's Film Festival Awards". Variety. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  8. ^"2016 Napa Valley Film Festival Festival Award Winners". Film Festivals. Napa Valley Film Festival. Retrieved 7 Sep 2018.
  9. ^"2016 Awards". Newport Beach Film Fest. Retrieved 8 Sep 2018.
  10. ^McNary, Dave (21 June 2017). "'American Fighter' Film Launches With Tommy Flanagan, Bryan Craig, Sean Patrick Flanery". Variety. Retrieved 7 Sep 2018.

External links