You are here:

Westside vs the World

Name: Westside vs the World
Director: Michael Fahey
Released: 2019
Duration: 96 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

2019

Director

Michael Fahey

Runtime

96 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Westside vs the World is a niche documentary that focuses on the intense world of elite powerlifting. The film's structure revolves around themes of physical toughness, individual achievement, and a 'dog-eat-dog' mentality. The setting is framed through metaphors of biker gangs and prison yards, emphasizing traditional masculine archetypes. This focus on physical dominance and strength-based competition leaves little room for narratives that consider multiple aspects of identity or disrupt social hierarchies. Ultimately, the film serves as a portrait of a specialized community rather than a tool for social commentary. It adheres to the established norms of the strength sports world.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Westside vs the World have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a hyper-masculine environment where physical dominance is key. There are no LGBTQ+ characters or narratives that challenge the idea that everyone is straight and cisgender.

How does Westside vs the World portray gender?

Limited

The story emphasizes traditional masculine traits through themes of aggression and strength. It focuses on typical masculine roles without questioning these roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Westside vs the World?

Fair

The documentary doesn't provide specific details about its racial makeup. The focus on a localized subculture suggests a potentially homogeneous demographic.

How does Westside vs the World represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film explores a subculture defined by toughness and personal success. It does not address broader social or religious issues.

Does Westside vs the World include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the portrayal of physical or neurological disabilities. The focus is solely on high-level athletic performance.

Present on Screen

Offers an authentic, unfiltered look at the intense subculture of elite powerlifting.
Captures the raw, harsh atmosphere of a specialized training environment.

Limited or Absent

Doesn't intentionally represent diverse identities or challenge traditional social hierarchies.
The hyper-masculine framing limits the scope of gender and social representation.

Official Synopsis

Westside Barbell is essentially what would happen if the Hell's Angels traded in their Harley Davidsons for squat racks and chalk. It is a collection of some of the strongest and scariest people to ever walk the earth. The atmosphere inside the cinder block walls has been described as a prison yard weight pile. Fights and cussing are part of the charm, as are tattoos and facial hair. The environment is brutal and wears quick on lifters with thin skin. Every day at Westside its dog eat dog. It's a proven recipe for world records (over 140 and counting), but is it worth the price of the pain? When the weights are big enough to kill, how far would you go for a number?

How are these scores produced? →