The First Great Documentary Of Next Year.

In 1980, the US hockey team, made up of amateur and collegiate players, beat the Soviet Union national team, professionals who had won the gold medal in six of the seven previous Olympic games. Which begs the question: did somebody shine a laser pointer at the Russians during the game?

That was the only stone left unturned in a great new documentary that premieres next month called Red Army. My friend John Kapelos invited me to a special screening followed by a Q&A, and it was fascinating.

The film focuses on the other side of the Miracle on Ice: the Russian team, in particular defenseman Slava Fetisov. And it does what any great documentary sets out to achieve: change minds. To me, the Russians were always the evil dudes with the unfair advantage; but now I have empathy for them. They grew up in 400 square foot apartments crammed with two other families, and then, when they grew up and made the Olympic team, they were forced to live in barracks for 11 months while an animal of a head coach made them practice every day until they pissed blood. Some crazy shit.

It’s in theaters January 23rd. You don’t need to be a sports fan to love it. But trust me, you’ll love it.