Most sport seems to be rife with corruption and cricket is no exception. In the superb Death of a Gentleman, Johhny Black, Sam Collins and Jarrod Kimber exposed the hold a few rich men have over the game. Young Maassai Warriors take cricket to their hearts in Barney Douglas’s documentary Warriors, using it as a way to unite a larger community and to fight against Female Genital Mutilation and for women’s rights.
The Massai Community is steeped in traditions and beliefs which have been handed down from generation to generation. They believe that ‘cutting’ a girl marks her entrance into adulthood and they’re only allowed to marry those who have undertaken the procedure. These girls are normally young and their husbands often old. The Elders would not be shaken in their beliefs despite it being against the law in Kenya. When a cricket demonstration comes to a local village, the sport is embraced by a young Massai Warrior tribe who see it as a way for them to challenge long-held superstitions and rites.
The spirit of cricket is invoked as the young tribesmen start off on their journey to spread the word through the game. When their story hits the press, they’re invited to England to take part in the Last Man Standing World Championship in London; a place in the finals at Lords is at stake. Whilst they found their strength through cricket, the young men’s greatest achievement is that of having the bravery and determination to go up against the tribal elders and win.
Warriors is out in cinemas on Friday.
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