PL
E.
DINNER IS

.'4101

Funk is one of the more senior mem-
bers depicted in the film. Despite a -
myriad of health problems, the lure of
the spotlight is so great that he
absolutely cannot bear to retire.
Today, Funk is a former superstar
who is a haggard, has-been on the
wrestling scene. He craves fame so
badly that he subjects himself to hor-
rific brutality that leaves him wrapped
in bandages from head to toe.
On the other end of the spectrum,
there's Mick Foley, a.k.a. Mankind, a
family man in his mid-30s who goes
to great lengths to make sure his kids
understand that what their dad does
for a living is just a job. In one of the
film's more gut-wrenching scenes,
Foley's wife and children watch as he
is severely beaten in a match against
WWF big shot "The Rock."
Frightened, the kids cling to their
mother and sob as their father endures
what appears to be serious; injury.
Backstage, he tries to assure them that
he is OK and that even though he is
hurt, it was just an act.
"As bizarre as it is that their dad has

.

4:0311i7 7

WWF who cooperated with the docu-
mentary and agreed to allow several of
his wrestlers to have a large presence
in the movie, has since backed off,
prohibiting anyone involved in the
WWF from doing anything to pro-
mote the film.
Lions Gate, the film's distributor,
had bought advertising to run during
many WWF broadcasts, including
USA Networks World Wrestling
Federation and UPN's Smackdown. But
the first commercial, which promi-
nently featured McMahon, was pulled
by the WWF before it could run.
According to a Lions Gate press
release, the film distributor offered to
modify the commercial to eliminate
shots of McMahon but were told the
WWF wouldn't accept any advertise-
ments of any sort for the film.
"When I went to Vince, WWF
wasn't as hot as it is now and WCW
was coming on strong," says
Blaustein. "I guess I caught him on a
weak day and he signed my release.
First he offered to buy the movie, but
I said, 'Vince, I'm not interested in
making a movie for
you. I'm interested
in wrestling and I
want to treat these
guys with dignity
and respect.'"
Even without
McMahon's bless-
ing, Beyond the Mat
was a semifinalist
for Oscar considera-
tion in the Best
Documentary cate-
gory. Though it was
not chosen as a
nominee, Blaustein
was honored with a
nomination by the
Directors Guild.
"Now I look at
wrestling different-
ly," he claims. "I
Mkt Foley with wife and
used to say, 'It's
daughter in "Beyond the Mat"•
Monday night, I've
"The movie [Barry] wanted to
got to watch
make was about wrestlers who
wrestling for
are also fathers, husbands and
research.' Now it's
brothers and sons — guys who,
all over and I'm
at the end of the day, go home
still watching it.
to their wives and children,"
That's kind of
says Michael Rosenberg, presi-
pathetic." ❑

blood dripping
everywhere, he was
very comforting to
[his kids.] He
wouldn't let go of
his daughter's
hand," says
Blaustein, who still
remains friendly
dent of Imagine Entertainment.
with Foley.
Blaustein says
that several wrestlers have expressed
Beyond the Mat, rated R, opens
pride and satisfaction with the candor
today exclusively at the AMC
of the film. But the straightforward
Forum (M-59 and Mound), AMC
nature of the work hasn't pleased
Livonia and Showcase Ann Arbor.
everyone.
Vince McMahon, the head of

..

d

V 4 i C

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