What do our beloved sports champions do after they enter retirement? Some focus on other things besides their past careers such as family and friends, and some find different hobbies to occupy their time. In the case of The Featherweight, they plan their comeback.

The Featherweight, directed by Robert Kolodny, follows Willie Pep, previously retired boxing champion, as he navigates his return to the sport despite high family tension deriving from his marriage and debt. The film itself is a mockumentary, with the premise including a camera crew that follows Pep around as he narrates his experiences. The Featherweight shines with its depiction of Pep’s story in part due to the actor's performance and due to Kolodny’s careful planning and research before shooting the film.

In his interview with the New Jersey International Film Festival, Kolodny discussed the preliminary actions he and his team took to ensure The Featherweight was the most accurate and comprehensive story possible. Kolodny himself refused to watch any boxing films during production to make the film more unique. Additionally, the crew went to Willie’s hometown in Connecticut and interviewed residents about Willie. This dedication to creating a well-rounded persona of Willie pays off as the film does an exceptional job of giving the audience a good view of Willie’s character and how it shows in his interactions with those around him. By the end of the film, even those who may not have known about Willie now have a look into his personality and how it impacted his life. In addition to Kolodny’s extensive research about Pep, the film also utilizes its cinematography and premise to describe Willie’s character.

To aid its premise of being shot by a camera crew, The Featherweight maintains mostly handheld shots with a closer shot scale. This allows us to feel closer to the characters and see their facial expressions and reactions, another facet Koldony utilizes for impressive character building. Additionally, characters can look directly at the camera and speak to the “camera crew”, allowing them a chance to express their thoughts from an outside perspective. Allowing the characters to have their space with the camera and interact with it was incredibly helpful for the film. However, it also presented a challenge for the actors as many were not used to directly looking and speaking to the camera as a character. To combat this, producer Bennett Elliott had the ingenious idea of allotting 30 minutes of improv before and after each scene. This allowed the actors and crew to step into the roles and feel more comfortable. This decision pays off well as the performances feel incredibly natural.

The Featherweight also plays around different media types, with certain scenes being shot on film and others on digital. Kolodny wanted the film to feel real and the grain and colors to feel as they would in the '60s. Additionally, the film’s sound was mixed as if it were a restoration of an old film. The film’s incredible worldbuilding can also be credited to its usage of real locations from Willie’s life and many of its costumes being real pieces from the sixties. These meticulous decisions created important details that enhanced viewers' experience and allowed them to feel like they were in this place.

Through its usage of specific techniques and cinematic styles, The Featherweight brings new life to the story of Willie Pep and allows viewers a closer look into Pep’s comeback journey. Kolodny’s strong directing and creative skills allow the audience to place themselves in Pep’s world and experience the story as if they were close to Willie, watching as he attempts his return to the ring.

The Featherweight screens at the 2024 New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024 – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7:00PM in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ.

The Featherweight Director Robert Kolody, Producer Bennett Elliot will be on hand to do a Q+A after the In-Person screening!  For more info and tickets go here.