Mountain Hockey review: A refreshing ode to women in sports

3.5/5

What's it about?

There have been many films made about women players being coached by a man in the field of sports. Whether it is Chak De! India or Bend it Like Beckham, the streaming platforms are full of films in this genre. However, the lack of representation of smaller, marginalized groups in such films is being constantly fought by regional filmmakers. One such film is The Mountain Hockey.

The Mountain Hockey is an Odia documentary film, following the story of a hockey coach in a remote area of Odisha who fights against odds to teach hockey to young girls and make them triumphant. This film is an ode to every athlete and mentor who is investing their persistent effort and energy to do better and be better, regardless of their circumstances.

What's hot?

The film opens with shots of the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup held in Bhubaneswar and the first ever to be sponsored by a state. Shah Rukh Khan, AR Rahman and Madhuri Dixit are among some of the big names associated with the glitz and glamour of that game. A state which is known to have an undying passion for hockey- Odisha, is then captured and celebrated in its entirety, for the rest of the film.

The film is shot beautifully and is also a true celebration of Odia culture and heritage- whether it is the folk song with which the film opens or the drone shots of the flora of the state. Directed by Debashis Mohapatra and Abinash Pradhan, the thought behind the narrative is to capture the essence and zeal of what the sport means for the tribals of Odisha.

Amalikhaman, the place where the documentary has been shot, has given birth to players like Bijay Kujur, Asif Lakra. The village itself has a culture of hockey. It is in fact so popular that one finds it impossible to find a spot in an actual playing field, specifically if it's for children. The sport of hockey is almost treated like an heirloom in this village.

The view of the school administration, fellow hockey coaches of the Rotary Hockey Academy; when it comes to young girls playing hockey is anything but prejudiced. Open minded and refreshing, the school which is inside a forest, houses many professors and staff along with students who are themselves equally passionate towards the sport.

The film is heartfelt and its strength lies in its simplicity. It's a player's journey to becoming a coach through the eyes of the young women he's helped as well as a celebration of the sport itself. Refreshing and an ode to the women in sports, the film definitely is worth a watch!

Whether it is a look into Kujur's journey with the sport or a deep dive into why Rajendra Kumar Kujur became a coach, significant bits of his life story are provided to give a more holistic approach to the film. From him picking up the hockey stick when he was six or other tidbits that he gives away in his humble story, the viewer is engaged thoroughly. There are many instances from other coaches as well and how they struggled to bring women's hockey to the forefront.

'The Mountain Hockey' now holds the title of being the first-ever Odia documentary on any OTT platform.

What's not?

Voiceovers and documentary filmmaking go hand in hand. The use of which could've been better in this film. The film is also constantly showing the coach speaking in the exact same location, providing no visual relief for the viewer, along with other repetitive shots edited throughout the 40 minutes.

The film tries to contrast the somber state of affairs with a rather upbeat musical score, halfway through the film but fails to actually garner an intense interest. Other coaches showed also provide their own perspectives about the sport but by the time the user is immersed in it, the scene shifts away.

The film is an ode to Kujur rather than an understanding of why the sport is as popular as it is, in the state. It speaks a lot about the present but doesn't give an insight into the past, to understand the shift in dynamic.

Another hiccup is a missing subtitle that may be either a platform error or an error during the post-production of the film that puts off the user at times.

Verdict

The film is raw, unpolished and makes for a gritty look into why the tribals of Odisha hail hockey as a life-changing sport. The game is an integral part of their identity and is definitely worth a watch.

A celebration of women in hockey, right from the grassroots is another reason to stream it now.

The film is available on Disney+ Hotstar.