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The Matador
The Matador
7.0
/10
326 Ratings

THE MATADOR

Directed by Stephen Higgins, Nina Gilden Seavey
United States, 2008
Documentary

Synopsis

This heroic tale chronicles David Fandila’s quest to become the world’s top-ranked bullfighter. As David struggles to achieve his place in the pantheon of Spain’s greatest bullfighters, he is confronted by those who question the place of this ancient and brutal ritual in the modern world.

Synopsis

This heroic tale chronicles David Fandila’s quest to become the world’s top-ranked bullfighter. As David struggles to achieve his place in the pantheon of Spain’s greatest bullfighters, he is confronted by those who question the place of this ancient and brutal ritual in the modern world.

Our take

Centered around “El Fandi”—one of the most talented bullfighters ever—The Matador looks at what place this sport finds in modern society. Superbly edited, the film stands out as a lucid study of fame, as well as an unapologetic portrait of the many contradictions surrounding such traditional ritual.