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Choke

Name: Choke
Director: Robert Raphael Goodman
Released: 1999
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

1999

Unrated

Director

Robert Raphael Goodman

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Choke serves as a specialized historical document of early Mixed Martial Arts. It successfully captures the globalized nature of the sport, showcasing a multicultural athletic landscape through its international participants. However, the film lacks intentionality regarding multi-layered identities. The narrative is built around traditional masculine dominance and physical prowess, leaving little room for diverse social perspectives. Ultimately, the documentary prioritizes the preservation of combat sports history over the exploration of broader social or gender-based hierarchies.

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Category Breakdown

Does Choke have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses solely on the technical and physical aspects of a freestyle fighting tournament. There are no characters or narratives that address non-straight or non-cisgender identities.

How does Choke portray gender?

Limited

The film centers on a male-dominated athletic arena and traditional masculine archetypes. It lacks any visible subversion of established gender hierarchies or women's ability to drive the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Choke?

Fair

The film showcases a multicultural environment through its international scope, highlighting connections between Brazilian, American, and Japanese cultures via martial arts disciplines and Rickson Gracie's lineage.

How does Choke represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative follows a standard competitive structure centered on professional athletics. It emphasizes individual meritocracy and physical discipline, avoiding broader cultural critiques or engagement with diverse cultural perspectives.

Does Choke include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the portrayal of individuals with physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The focus remains on elite, able-bodied combat performance.

Present on Screen

Captures a multicultural athletic environment through its international focus on Brazil, Japan, and the United States.
Provides a historical look at the globalized growth of freestyle fighting and its diverse participants.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of women's ability to drive the story or the subversion of traditional gender hierarchies.
Fails to address LGBTQ+ identities or broader multi-layered narratives within the sporting subculture.

Official Synopsis

Welcome to the world of no-holds-barred freestyle fighting...the fastest growing "sport" in the United States, Brazil, and Japan. CHOKE follows undisputed World Freestyle Fighting Champion Rickson Gracie as he prepares to defend his title in a one-night, single elimination tournament where the winner will fight 3 separate fights over five hours. The World Cup finals of hand-to-hand combat.

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