Valery's Ankle

VALERY'S ANKLE explodes the spectacle of hockey violence and its representation in North American media. Taking Bobby Clarke's breaking of rival Russian star Valery Kharlamov's ankle during the 1972 Summit Series as its departure point and site of research, the film uncovers a disturbing history of unforetold and abject Canadian behavior. "… using the avant-garde apparatus to shift the artistic mythology from Paul Henderson's overdone orificial penetration to this moment of violence and shame may well give momentum (and integrity) to the discourses of sports, masculinity, and nationalism in Canadian cinemas." (Thomas Waugh, The Romance of Transgression in Canada)