Unfightable
2024 | NR |100 min | DCP
Q&A FOLLOWING THE FILM
The real fight is outside the ring. Alana McLaughlin is a transgender woman beginning her career in the mixed martial arts. She’ll have to contend with athletes who refuse to fight her, find a gym willing to train her, and win a battle against her own personal demons—all under the harsh spotlight of the press and a hostile MMA world. Alana grew up in rural South Carolina, to a very religious family, and suffered horrendous sexual abuse. She joined the Special Forces and fought in Afghanistan, in an effort to “become a man or die trying.” When she returned from Afghanistan, Alana decided to transition, and found a new community in Portland, Oregon. After fighting her entire life, Alana is ready to do it in the cage. She’s been attacked on the street and had guns shoved in her face. She fought in Afghanistan. She makes swords and knives. She’s learned to expect violence around every corner. But Alana faces an uphill battle just to get to the bout. Countless gyms turned her down. Opponent after opponent said no. But one fighter says yes, and Alana heads down to Miami to see if she really has what it takes to step inside the cage. “Unfightable” is the story of transgender women’s right to fight and the extraordinary amount of courage it takes to demand that people see you as you are.
Edited by: Joel Brito, Marc Perez
Written by: Marc Perez, Jacqueline McLaren
Director of Photography: Armando Ortega
Produced by: Marc Perez, Jacqueline McLaren, Mike Afromowitz
Executive Producers: Jennevie Olivieri-Lopez, Augusto Rovegno, Campbell McLaren
Directed by: Marc Perez