Another documentary about Boris Becker? Yes, please!
"Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker" is the name of a new documentary about the life and crash of Boris Becker. Do you really want to watch this documentary? Aren't there already too many Becker works? Yes, and watch anyway! That's what our author, who is familiar with works about the youngest Wimbledon winner of all time, thinks.
by Daniel Müksch
last edit: Apr 12, 2023, 10:04 pm
No, please not another documentary about the life of Boris Becker! Haven't there been enough interviews, programs, formats lately that have addressed the life of the controversial German tennis legend? Yes, there were. For example, the author of these lines alone produced and recorded a six-part podcast about the life of Boris Becker. "Our Boris" is his name. And then now a TV documentary about Becker's life. Does it have to be then? To put it succinctly: Yes, it must! Because this documentary is good and provides insights and moments that you didn't know before. "Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker" is the name of the two-part documentation and it has been available from the streaming provider Apple+ for a few days.
Responsible for the work is the American Alex Gibney, who has already been awarded an Oscar for his documentaries and who, among other things, also produced a film about the ex-professional cyclist Lance Armstrong.
So why is the Gibney work on Boris Becker worthwhile? Reason one: It's a journey through time. Especially in the world of the 90s. The years in which Boris captivated millions of fans with his game, was always close to the end of his career and fought back again and again. For example, one of his last interviews in the more than three hours was given by US trainer legend Nick Bollettieri, who died shortly after the recordings were made.
Boris up close a few days before prison
Okay, time travel. But almost all Boris reviews offer them. Above all, Boris himself has his say. Zwat only met Gibney Boris twice, but that's enough. A few weeks before the German's trial in London and then again two days before the sentence was announced. It is oppressive what a change can be observed in the two meetings. Self-confident, a little remorseful, but full of confidence, Boris sits in front of the camera at the first meeting. By the second meeting, however, he is a broken man. A man before the ruins of his existence. Sure, it's his own fault and pity is probably out of place. But first of all, there is a person sitting there. A person with feelings, emotions and prison in front of his eyes. If that leaves you cold, the cynicism of a world trapped in headlines and hashtags has probably been completely consumed.
The man Boris is worth seeing. However, Alex Gibney could not have guessed that this person would be released from prison a few months later and lived and talked as if nothing had happened. But there will definitely be the next documentation for that soon. The next podcast. Or another biography.