Southpaw

Despite (or perhaps because of) the centuries of oppression they've suffered, the Irish are -- as one character in Liam McGrath's superb documentary puts it -- "as hard and racist as anyone in the world" when it comes to the Travelers. Existing on the fringes of Irish society, living in communal enclaves outside of cities, with their own language, literally spat upon, the Travelers are outcasts in their own nation.

Francis Barrett is a Traveler. He's also one helluva boxer. Southpaw follows this kid, whose face and demeanor are so earnest, they almost make you wonder how anyone could fight him at all, as he battles his way, with the help of saintly and bushy-eyebrowed trainer Chick Gillen, to the '96 Atlanta Olympic Games. When we see Francis carry the Irish tricolor and get an enthusiastic wave from Bill Clinton, the historic magnitude of the moment is obvious. One onlooker likened it to the black-power salute given at Mexico City's '68 Games. Frank's mile-wide grin proves he has nothing so confrontational in mind.

Although Frank's time at the Games was short, the 15 months it took him to go from "knacker" -- a vicious slur on the Travelers that he calls "not very nice, y'know?" -- to Olympian was phenomenal. And it couldn't have happened to a better guy. As a fellow Traveler says, "Francie proves dreams happen."

-- Mike Miliard