THE SHEIK plays Hot Docs 2014

What sort of person wants to walk in front of hundreds…thousands…or even tens of thousands…and be loathed? Who wants whip a crowd into a frenzy to the point where little old ladies want to beat them up? It takes a certain disposition to be sure, but it also takes a great degree of confidence. Where in the world does one find that sort of confidence…and more importantly, what does one do when that confidence falls away?

THE SHEIK is the story of Khosrow Vaziri – better known worldwide as “The Iron Sheik”, an 80’s wrestling icon. Born in Iran in the early 1940’s, Vaziri made a name for himself by becoming one of the top amateur wrestlers in his country – even competing for his country in the 1968 Olympics. While he was doing this, he was also a bodyguard for The Shah and his family for several years. Eventually, Vaziri moved to America where he coached the Olympic wrestling team, met his wife, and joined the professional wrestling circuit in 1972. By 1980, he rebranded himself as “The Iron Sheik” – playing off American tensions with the Arab world. This led him to become one of the most popular heels in wrestling history.

It seems like every month we read about another former wrestling star fall on hard times. Some are broke, some are addicts, some experience post-concussion syndrome, and many have died before their time. The Iron Sheik is no stranger to the rough road, having been unceremoniously fired from the WWF and unable to find a soft landing-place for more work. This film’s greatest asset is the way it acts as the fly on the wall during his time in personal purgatory. Watching him babble incoherently, argue with those who love him, and even admit while buying illegal drugs that yes, he did used to wrestle, is heartbreaking. Like so many who have come before and after him, The Sheik is a circus performer, and there are few sadder things than seeing what happens when the circus leaves town.

The document of this fall from stardom, and the unexpected rise afterwards by way of social media is what gives THE SHEIK its legs. Up until then, it plays like a tribute piece to a legend of industry – and admittedly one that has an amazing back story. However, in that first act where we hear about his rise to fame and stardom, it soon becomes less about the story of The Sheik, and more about “Oh my God, it’s _____” as various wrestlers from yesteryear show up on-camera to say their piece. But when the producers become a part of the film – reaching out to The Sheik and becoming part of his inner circle – the film gets legs. It becomes both deeply tragic and wonderfully uplifting. It’s a great risk they took, since inserting oneself into one’s own film can often backfire. In this case, it adds a layer; it allows THE SHEIK to also become the story of two young men meeting their boyhood idol, and coming to grips with who that idol has become.

The wise man once said that there are no second acts in American lives, but as he seemingly loves to do, The Iron Sheik has come to prove that wrong. This film shows the way one man can lose sight of what’s important in life, and the way they can cling too closely to what once made them great. It shows the power of reinvention, and just what it takes to turn it all around. This isn’t just a wrestling story, it’s a story of personal triumph.

THE SHEIK has finished its Hot Docs engagement. For more info, including future screenings, check out the film’s website.