Generation Iron Movie Preview

Generation Iron

Pumping Iron was a a groundbreaking look into the mysterious subculture of bodybuilding in the ’70s. But that was then—this is now. Today, bodybuilding is a whole other animal. Generation Iron explores the modern bodybuilder and the quest for the Holy Grail … otherwise
known as the title of Mr. Oympia … in this epic big-screen documentary. GENERATION IRON examines the professional sport of bodybuilding today and gives the audience front row access to the lives of the top
seven IFBB pro bodybuilders as they train to compete on the world’s premiere bodybuilding stage— Mr. Olympia.

Each of the athletes has a story to tell of his life, journey, aspiration, and motivation. They have been through up and downs, overcoming the toughest judges in the world as they’ve stepped onto stages around the world and flexed their muscles for eager fans. To their fans, they are more than superstars— they are Olympian gods. Outside of the gym and the brutal training, the cameras chronicle the iron men through their
most intimate moments in life as they prepare for the mental challenges that lie ahead. As Arnold once said, “Bodybuilding is as much physical as it is mental.”

All of the athletes are unique in their own way. They come from different paths. They engage different methods, routines, interests, endeavours, and even hobbies. But one factor unites them all—their competitive drive and relentless ambition to rise to the top. But only the best man will be crowned on the Mr. Olympia stage. This is the long-awaited true
story of dedication, discipline, rivalry, defeat, victory, redemption, and triumph.

Join the stars of today’s international bodybuilding arena—Phil Heath, Branch Warren, Kai Greene, Dennis Wolf, Victor Martinez, Hidetada
Yamagishi as well as ambitious Canadian newcomer Ben Pakulski and European sensation Roel ly Winklaar on their journey to the Olympia.

The Champion: Phil Heath is the reigning champ. If you want to draw
parallels between Generation Iron and Pumping Iron (as most filmgoers and bodybuilding fans will inevitably do), Phil’s the Arnold of this film. The top dog. He’s the man to beat, and every other character knows that it’s going to be an incredibly hard task to accomplish. Heath is Mr.
Olympia, and he’s at the top of the mountain and the rest of the characters have to do whatever they can to get up there and topple him. The great thing about Phil is that he knows he’s the best and he can say it over and over, he can be as cocky as he wants, and you’ll still love and respect him.

The underdog: A lot of people refer to Kai Greene as the underdog,
and for good reason: He’s second to Phil, he comes from a difficult
background, and in his own words, he “wasn’t blessed with genetics.” He so clearly follows the traditional underdog story that it’s hard not to.
But when you look closely, he breaks the mold on so many other levels:
the way he carries himself, the way he talks, the way he thinks is fascinating and enrapturing. Every moment he’s on-screen, you can’t help but let his words and persona carry you away

The Everyman: Branch Warren represents so much in this film it’s
incredible. He’s the Rocky of Generation Iron, he’s the everyman, he’s the hardheaded and old-school hardcore curmudgeon that refuses to change with the times, yet he never comes across as one-dimensional.
He believes in his gritty approach to bodybuilding, and he justifies it so
convincingly that you’ll believe that’s how everyone should train.

Familiar faces: Pumping Iron was a groundbreaking documentary that
introduced the world to bodybuilders such as Ken Waller, Robby Robinson, Mike Katz, Ed Corney, Serge Nubret as well as household names such as Lou Ferrigno and, of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Without George Butler’s 1977 film to pave the way, Generation Iron may not have been possible. We were glad to hear that Katz and Ferrigno—along with Mr. O Samir Bannout—show up in
this feature film.

Oh Canada! Whereas Branch Warren can be seen as the Rocky of this film, Ben Pakulski is more akin to the Ivan Drago character of Rocky
IV. While he certainly does not have the “If he dies—he dies” attitude of that character, Ben is definitely in it to win it. And his approach to training certainly mirrors that of the fictional Russian boxer. The point of Generation Iron is to shed light on how many different aspects of the sport of bodybuilding there really are, and Ben Pakulski is the perfect
example of a very specific side of the sport: the scientific side. With his team of scientists and researchers he has logged, measured, probed, and prodded every muscle in his body to maximize growth. But he
also shows that perhaps there is more to the sport than sheer
intelligence 

The contenders: The pro bodybuilding community is so rich with characters that it was difficult for the people behind this production to
pin down whom to bring onto the film, but once the cameras started rolling it became clear they had made some great choices. Hidetada Yamagishi, the only Japanese bodybuilder you will find at any of the
major competitions, brings to light how much sacrifice and solitude come with this sport. Roelly Winklar and his trainer Grandma are a great odd couple. How they came together and how they hold each
other up when times are tough brought a far more sentimental touch to the film than expected. Dennis Wolf, the German, shows how enticing and elusive the American Dream can be. And lastly, Victor Martinez
brings with him the story of a fall from greatness and that burning drive
to rise back up. Each character represents a different side of the bodybuilding world, and each brings such immense personality that
everyone will find someone to root for.