Department of History

In this tender yet haunting story, filmmakers Dan Klores and Ron Berger (director of The Boys of 2nd Street Park) capture a provocative sage of love, violence and redemption. New York City, March 24, 1962: Rival boxing champions Emile Griffith and Benny "Kid" Paret entered the ring for their feverishly anticipated world title bout. Earlier, Paret had taunted his allegedly homosexual opponent with a shocking slur. That night, as millions of fans watched the fight on live television, Griffith brutally beat Paret to death. The sport of boxing, the life of Emile Griffith, and the innocence of America would be changed forever. Through startling archival footage and revealing new interviews with journalists, historians, champion boxers, Paret's widow, and Griffith himself, experience the Sundance sensation that begins with one tragic night nearly 45 years ago whose impact is still being felt today.