[FANTASTIC FEST 2019] ‘NAIL IN THE COFFIN: THE FALL AND RISE OF VAMPIRO’ Review

So it’s worth a preface here for you to know that I haven’t had any interest in wrestling, professional or otherwise, since I was a child. I’m not in any way a hater — if you love wrestling, that’s totally cool — it’s just not something that I understand. I get the appeal, believe me…it’s just not for me. So when there’s a doc about a Canadian guy who became a legend in the lucha libre lane of Mexico’s mega-popular sport, I’m not exactly the first in line. But reading past the log line and into what Michael Pazst’s Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro is actually about, it’s primarily a human story about a damaged man trying to do well, forced to do the thing he’s grown to hate in order to provide for his daughter. Add to that a revealing look inside an industry that I haven’t even glimpsed since 1999’s Beyond the Mat, and I’m officially intrigued.

With a look inspired by California punk and, of all things, Milli Vanilli (who he was security for during their ultra-successful year), Ian Hodgkinson aka Vampiro found his way into Mexican lucha libre wrestling in the early 90’s and through the years has garnered quite a following. He is a single father of an adorable, 14-year-old daughter, Dasha. The film sprawls through years of highlights: he becomes a superstar in Mexico…he plays a show with the Misfits…he joins the WCW and wrestles legends like Hulk Hogan and Sting…and then after a staggering injury, he’s found his way into producing and directing for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. For a number of factors, Ian has to leave the ring and has enjoyed becoming a creative force behind the scenes. But the lure of that ring, like a temptress, keeps bringing him back in…and dangerously close to an edge he won’t return from.

There are enough parallels to Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler to raise an eyebrow or two, but those can be chalked up to the coincidence (or fact) that so many stories in this industry travel down a similar path, especially from this era of wrestling. That old adage that professional wrestling is fake is maybe true in theory, but false in reality. Severe bodily harm is the real consequence for so very many, and Vampiro is no exception: a broken neck, neurological damage, and around 25 concussions (he guesses) have left him on the verge of dementia. He must retire. He has to get out. But it’s all he knows how to do, and it’s the only way he can support his daughter. He feels stuck, and it’s the most heartbreaking thing to watch because I think we’ve all felt trapped through circumstance or boxed ourselves in. You want to see him find a way out even though you know he won’t.

Here’s what I like about documentaries the most: you can grow to care about something you have zero interest in, through the storytelling and the honesty of a talented director with a fascinating subject. Nail In the Coffin is very much this situation, and I’m so glad I gave it a shot. There is ultimately a sad ending to this story, but the film leaves you smiling. Urge you to check this out when you get a chance.

Good news! In addition to premiering at Fantastic Fest 2019, the film is being released in Canada thanks to Raven Banner! No word on a stateside release yet, but keep your eyes peeled!