It's entirely possible that there's a more appropriate film festival for Michael Husain's The Sugarman than the Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, though at the moment I'm hard-pressed to think of where that would be. The Sugarman is an inspirational feel-good short doc wrapped around the story of 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist boxer Sugar Ray Seales. 

The now 71-year-old Seales gave everything he had to boxing and it very nearly took everything. Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and raised in Tacoma, Seales followed up his 1972 Olympic triumph by becoming a middleweight contender in the late 70's and early 80's. He fought Marvin Hagler three times - losing a narrow decision once and getting a draw three months later. He would remain in contention until a first-round TKO at the hands of Hagler would largely end title talk. It was in 1980 in a fight with Jaime Thomas that Seales's life would be changed forever with a left eye injury that would leave him with a serious retinal tear. He was subsequently declared legally blind. 

While The Sugarman makes it clear that Seales has had his share of hard luck, Husain captures the spirit of a man whose vibrance makes you realize that he may have been knocked down but he's sure never been knocked out. The Sugarman is as much a film about Seales's bounce back - a surgeon was able to restore sight to his left eye against tremendous odds. Seales relocated to Indianapolis with his wife in 2006 following his retirement from a 17-year career as a teacher of autistic students. 

Shot in pristine black-and-white, The Sugarman is the kind of doc we've come to expect from Indy Shorts and the kind of film that Husain does best with equal parts engaging storytelling and compelling human spirit. If you're from Indy, The Sugarman will make you want to meet the delightful Seales and hear him tell his stories. 

Continuing on its indie fest run, The Sugarman is one for fans of true sports stories and those who appreciate inspirational storytelling. Watch for it at a festival near you. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic