THE POPCORN REEL FILM REVIEW/"Orthodox Stance"                                                                                                                                                     

Boxing for Glory While Keeping the Faith

By Omar P.L. Moore/April 11, 2008


Faith and fists: (left to right) Trainer Oscar Suarez, Israel Liberow, Dmitriy Salita and Jimmy O'Pharrow, in "Orthodox Stance", which opened today exclusively at the Laemmle Theater in Los Angeles. 

Dmitriy Salita has boxed his way to the top of his division and shows that his skills in the ring are not the only reason why.  Early on in Jason Hutt's wonderfully engrossing documentary "Orthodox Stance" he declares that he is two different people -- one personality in the ring and another outside the ring.

Yet that doesn't seem so true, because Mr. Salita, who was born in the Ukraine and emigrated to Brooklyn, New York as a young boy and a practicing Orthodox Jew, carries the same charismatic, savoir-faire persona into the ring as he does outside it.  It is his fists that speak a different language inside and outside the ring, and not anything else about him that dramatically transforms.  He frequents the boxing gyms of Gleason's and other places in New York City and finds a home in the rough and tumble East New York neighborhood at the Starrett City Boxing Club with Jimmy O'Pharrow or, Jimmy O', its trainer and director, who guides him into the philosophies of boxing and the rules of life.  Jimmy is a sage, the kind of sage that Morgan Freeman played in his Oscar winning role in "Million Dollar Baby" -- only Jimmy is for real.  Mr. Salita learns the ropes, sticking out as a overwhelmingly as a sore thumb as a young white male in a gym of black and Hispanic boxers, taking his lumps, as Jimmy mentions before beginning to earn respect amongst his peers.

What is most extraordinary about "Orthodox Stance" which opened today in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Theater, is that it depicts a resolute young man at his optimum best, both in his faith worship and in the worship of his fists.  With the help of his mentor and advisor Israel Liberow he diligently follows his faith, eating kosher and having such food shipped overnight to him from New York when he fights in Las Vegas.  He follows his prayers abidingly and refuses to fight during the Sabbath.  In a notable episode, Jimmy makes it clear to a boxing promotion official in Puerto Rico that a famous beer cannot be placed where Mr. Salita is to be seated, as any photo or rabbi sighting of him sitting by a beer bottle would get the boxer into serious trouble.  When the official cites that he has to promote the beverage since it is sponsoring the press conference, Jimmy replies, "I understand but I've got to look out for my boy, too". 

And therein lies one of the most important aspects of "Orthodox Stance".  Family.  Mr. Salita is carefully shepherded and looked after by both his extended family and his central family members (he lost his mother early on to cancer), some of whom are initially disapproving of his decision to fight and questioning how he is able to strictly maintain his faith, and others whom encourage him to keep fighting and find a woman who will be good to him once he attains big-time boxing glory.  Unlike a lot of boxers in the professional ranks (Mr. Salita is seen over a four year period and several of his 22 professional fights) the youngster (who is now 24 years old) stays on the straight and narrow and makes smart choices.  His discipline and focus to his faith are slightly stronger than his adherence to boxing, as we see when his third trainer, the famous veteran Hector Roca admonishes Mr. Salita for slouching off before a big fight.  (Mr. Roca has trained many fighters, as well as whipping Hilary Swank into shape for her Oscar-winning role in "Million Dollar Baby" four years ago.)

"Orthodox Stance" also allows a glimpse of the politics of boxing salaries.  There is a scene where a contract discrepancy is observed and it is fascinating to watch the delicate back and forth between Mr. Salita's attorney and the attorney for Lou DiBella Entertainment, with Mr. Salita also in the room stating his case.  It is surprising that the dispute is not more heated -- and doubtful that it is staged for the camera, perhaps it is delicate because of the camera -- yet it comes off as a genuine and polite gentlemen's disagreement.  Bob Arum, legendary boxing promoter of Top Rank, has an on-camera appearance.  Mr. Arum was also brought up Orthodox, and he shares an amusing story about his experience practicing the faith. 

Mr. Hutt's camera occasionally feels like cinema verite, a fly-on-the-wall that goes with the flow.  The great strength of the film which features many more priceless moments that won't be revealed here, is that Mr. Salita's faith is the driving force behind his success in the boxing world, and not the other way around.  No doubt Mr. Salita is extraordinarily talented, but his discipline and adherence to his divinity as a practicing Orthodox Jewish man is even more impressive.  All the while Dmitriy Salita keeps himself on the straight and narrow, focused, intelligent and better with each fight. 

Jason Hutt also produced and edited the film along with Rachel Kittner, and Mark Orton's music score is also terrific throughout this film.  Always engaging, fascinating and heartwarming, "Orthodox Stance" is a must-see for boxing fans, faith followers and moviegoers alike.


"Orthodox Stance" is not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.  The film's duration is one hour and 22 minutes.  Mr. Hutt's film is in English, Spanish and Hebrew languages, with English subtitles.  The film will open on May 9 in New York City.

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