Full Out

"Sometimes You Have to Fall Before You Fly"

2015 1h 34m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 349

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Synopsis

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Based on the true life story of California gymnast Ariana Berlin. As she zoned in on her Olympic goals, 14 year old Ariana Berlin's life took a sharp turn when she was involved in a debilitating car accident. Gaining her confidence and movement back through learning hip hop dance, she unexpectedly found herself called back to the gymnastics world thanks to world renowned UCLA Coach Valorie Kondos Field. With Val's help, Ariana was eventually able to secure a spot on the UCLA gymnastics team and win an NCAA championship, a lifelong goal that she had always dreamed of. This is a wonderfully inspiring story of persistence, confidence, and the heart and courage to make a somewhat impossible comeback in life.

“Sometimes You Have to Fall Before You Fly”

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Cast

Ana Golja
Ariana Berlin
Jennifer Beals
Coach Valorie Kondos-Field
Asha Bromfield
Michelle
Trevor Tordjman
Nate
Jake Epstein
Coach Pierce
Ramona Milano
Susan Berlin
Lamar Johnson
Twist
Sarah Fisher
Isla Steponchev

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Sean Cisterna
Writers: Willem Wennekers, Jay Deverett, Beth Iley
Languages: English, Moldavian
Countries: Canada

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Shot for just $1.5M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 11 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Moldavian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Full Out Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Sean Cisterna, shot by Pasha Patriki. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Grayson Matthews. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Michelle Szemberg shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ana Golja and Jennifer Beals and Asha Bromfield carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Sean Cisterna directs. Pasha Patriki behind the camera. Grayson Matthews scores. Michelle Szemberg cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Canada. Dialogue in English, Moldavian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Shot for just $1.5M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
2Released 11 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Moldavian.
4Part of the "Full Out Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Directed by Sean Cisterna, shot by Pasha Patriki. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Grayson Matthews. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Michelle Szemberg shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Ana Golja and Jennifer Beals and Asha Bromfield carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "Sometimes You Have to Fall Before You Fly".
10IMDB entry: tt3977462 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Pasha Patriki
Original score: Grayson Matthews
Editing: Michelle Szemberg
Production design: Helen Kotsonis
Costume design: Marissa Schwartz
Makeup / hair: Amber Bentley
Sound: Matthew Harrold
Stunt coordinator: Neil Davison
Runtime: 94 min · 1h 34m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $1,500,000
Original language: EN
IMDB: Full Out (2015)

Part of

Full Out Collection

Also by

Sean Cisterna

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2017-07-30
★ 8/10
To rediscover one's passion. This is an under-noticed inspiring tale. A biographical sport film based on an American gymnast Ariana Berlin. Like in any sports, after suffering from an accident or injury, how they fight for their comeback is the purpose of this film. It opened with a brief intro of her childhood, like what gymnastic means for her. She was not alone, but grew up with it alongside her close friend, Isla. The timeline of the story was on the crossroad of her life, just a few steps away to become what she had dreamt of. But with an unexpected event, her dream comes crumbling down. First of all, this is not like any other sports film you have seen. But yes, a few parts resembles on what all the sports films have that in common with. So it is a very similar kind to the recent film 'Bleed for This', except a different sport. I have seen some good gymnastic films, including the recent 'The Bronze', but this one was a unique experience. Because all those films are focused on heroism. Like too unrealistic or intentional, how one overcomes from all the obstacles. Everything's about achieving something big. Unlike those, this was more about passion for the game. Besides, the road to come back, everybody needs a confident boost. One never knows where and how it strikes him. You might think it would be the coach, parents, friends or maybe a counselor/mentor, but that part was the unusual of this film. It was none of them, but hip hop. Seems these two are not so far away from one another, especially they align in the case of physics, but totally falls in a different category. The fusions in any events are not rare, even in professional level in this modern world, but how does it work is the interesting part. A part of innovation. I would say it was nothing special, yet quite enjoyable. ❝Sometimes when the front door gets slammed in your face, you have to go through the back door.❞ It had a good opening, and after the initial setback which is to set up a platform for the rest of the story, the middle section picked up well from it. Not that the film scenes were unpredictable, even though reasonable. Yeah, I was not sure which way the narration is heading. It was quite jumping all around till the third act to commence, then it sets its target firmly. Probably where you would get disappointed is the Ariana's dream. Her passion wins, but not her ambition. The end is where all the viewers would have their eyes. How it all going to end and what kind of message it reveals was much simpler, yet, like I said earlier, inspiring. One of the best sport-films of the year. It was fun as well. I felt the dance parts should have given more attention to. Anyway, it was not primarily a dance flick, but had enough influence to say close to one. So don't watch it expecting it to be one, but gymnastic. If you like that game, particularly an aspirant, or any sports aspirant with a roadblock, it'll motivate you to keep on trying. Totally an unexpected film and I'm glad I saw it. Surely I would suggest it if anybody asks me for some good sports and biopics. Good casting, pretty faces in the front row, if you are a guy. I don't know much about gymnastics, but I know the lead cast worked hard for the perfection. At least to be close to it. I hope Ana Golja and Sarah Fisher would do more films in the lead. They were very impressive in their respective roles. The real Ariana appeared in a guest role roles. A decent writing and direction, but it was the fine storyline that held them up, alongside performances. I liked all the gymnastic stunts/displays. The runtime and the pace of the narration was perfect. Overall an appreciable film. Usually biopics are must see, so I hope you consider it. 8/10

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