Hacker Cinema
The Grass Arena
1991 · Film · 90 min
Directed by Gillies MacKinnon
The Grass Arena is based on the autobiography of John Healy. Raised in an strongly religious family, with an abusive father, John soon learns that he has to defend himself. Growing into adulthood he takes up boxing, but soon falls victim to alcoholism. His boxing career over, John takes to the Grass Arena (the park) where he lives with other alcoholics. Prison time introduces him to a new and unexpected path.
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This makes me think about John Healy's autobiography The Grass Arena[1] which was later turned into a film.
His unfortunate childhood lead him into severe alcoholism despite being a promising boxer. He ended up living a rough life on the streets of London, moving in and out of prison.
On one of his stints inside he was taught chess and it turned his life around.
It's pretty raw but a good book and worth a read IMHO.
There's also a documentary about John Healy called Barbaric Genius[2], which I think is on Netflix and other streaming services.
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grass_Arena
2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1482452/