Director: Eugene Jarecki

Cast: Erika Eleniak, James Colby, Aunjanue Ellis, Kyle Thrash, John Doman

Country: U.S.
Year: 2000
Running Time: 90 Min..
Format: 35mm

Meet Patty (Erika Eleniak, Baywatch, The Beverly Hillbillies), an attractive woman stuck in a dreary existence with boyfriend Billy, sweet one moment and violent the next. Gathering the courage to leave, she meets June (Aunjanue Ellis) and Fred (John Doman) who introduce her to the world of boxing. Her first job: titillate the boxing crowd between rounds and earn $50. But this is only the beginning. Intrigued by the male sport, she starts lessons at a local boxing club owned by Tommy (James Colby) who soon spots her talent and the anger that could destroy her. Unlike fairy tales, we watch Patty return to Billy for abuse even as she grows stronger. So does she finally stand up to him? You'll have to watch to find out. It's not often we get an inside look at the world of professional woman boxing. The Opponent is the first feature for writer and director Eugene Jarecki.

--Rebecca Jessop

Presented By: Eugene Jarecki

Eugene Jarecki is an independent filmmaker from New York who has worked as a writer, director, and producer on dramatic films, music videos, documentaries, commercials, and stage productions. He has received honors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Sundance Institute. He has also recently completed a documentary for PBS called Quest of the Carib Canoe, which gives an insider's view of life in the Carib territory while documenting the "Gli Gli" project in which a canoe was built from ancient design.