August 16, 2011 –The upcoming release of Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior has been much anticipated in the MMA community, with the movie being the first to portray fighters in a realistic light – with the main characters all depicted as imperfect people all striving towards a common goal as a means to their own personal redemption. Truth be told this is less of a sensationalistic portrayal of MMA as there has ever been, but rather a glimpse into the visceral nature of our sport – where people from all walks of life find themselves fighting for their own reasons.
In concert with the September 9th release of Warrior, the film’s organizers and AMC Theatres have launched the We Are All Warriors campaign, a national grassroots initiative looking to identify real-life heroes beyond the silver screen. In short, this project is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to join together and share their stories in answer to film’s central theme – “What do you fight for.”
We in the mixed martial arts community know this is a loaded question.
If you’ve ever met a fighter, then you know they fight for many different reasons. Some fight for honor and glory while others fight as a means to support self and family. Some fighters set out to prove something to people while others embark on this journey in pursuit of a dream. There are many other reasons but no matter what, the one commonality is the fight.
Warrior and MMA in general can certainly be seen as a microcosm for the real world and the “We Are All Warriors” project is seeking to bring that spirit out within our community.
Said WARRIOR’s director Gavin O’Connor of the initiative, “Everyone fights for something- from parents struggling to support families through tough economic times, to soldiers defending democracy, to teachers combating illiteracy, we fight for things that we believe in. I made this film to celebrate that quality of the warrior within us all, and am proud that this project is reaching out to so many people and inviting them to join in honoring those individuals who embody the qualities of a true everyday warrior.”
No matter what walk of life one comes from or what problems they face, everybody has a struggle. Everybody has a dream. Whether you’re a teacher, police officer, scientist, or veteran – we all fight for something. “We are all warriors.”
So what do you fight for? Nominate your story or someone’s who inspires you through “We Are All Warriors for the chance to win a hometown screening of the film, Warrior, from AMC Theatres.
All of the project’s inspirational submissions will remain on the website to be shared with the world – a true army of some of America’s most extraordinary citizens is already forming, including Massachusetts’ lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray who fights for his constituents, beloved wrestler Anthony Robles, submitted by ESPN, who fought to ascend in his sport despite having lost a leg, Dolores Bastrop, nominated by her husband for her tireless fight for the poor, and Mike Hardin, nominated by a “proud neighbor” for fighting for life, when he rescued a mother and child from a mobile home that had erupted in fire in while they slept.
The website will also regularly feature video diaries from both everyday warriors and celebrity guests including prominent bloggers, parents, coaches, troops, actors athletes, and pastors, answering the film’s central question ‘What Do You Fight For?’ in their own words.
About Warrior
Haunted by a tragic past, Marine Tommy Conlon (Hardy) returns home for the first time in fourteen years to enlist the help of his father (Nick Nolte) to train for Sparta, the biggest winner-takes-all event in mixed martial arts history. A former wrestling prodigy, Tommy blazes a path toward the championship while his brother, Brendan (Edgerton), an ex-fighter-turned teacher, returns to the ring in a desperate bid to save his family from financial ruin. But when Brendan’s unlikely, underdog rise sets him on a collision course with the unstoppable Tommy, the two brothers must finally confront each other and the forces that pulled them apart, facing off in the most soaring, soul stirring, and unforgettable climax that must be seen to be believed.
A rousing ode to redemption, reconciliation and the power of the human spirit, WARRIOR is also a moving testament to the enduring bonds of family. WARRIOR stars Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom, Star Wars: Episode III), Tom Hardy (the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Black Hawk Down), Jennifer Morrison (“House”, Star Trek) and Nick Nolte (Tropic Thunder, The Thin Red Line). The film is directed by Gavin O’Connor; screenplay by Gavin O’Connor & Anthony Tambakis & Cliff Dorman and story by Gavin O’Connor & Cliff Dorfman. Lionsgate and Mimran Schur Pictures present a Lionsgate / Mimran Schur Pictures production. A Solaris Entertainment and Filmtribe production.
For more information about WARRIOR, visit www.warriorfilm.com.
To view movie trailers, buy movie tickets and see show times at AMC Theatres, visit: www.amctheatres.com.
Join the WARRIOR community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/warriorfilm or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lionsgatemovies
About the ‘We Are All Warriors’ Program
The We Are All Warriors initiative brings together warriors of all walks of life – from civil activists fighting for our rights to firefighters and police officers who fight for our lives to mothers and fathers fighting for their families. Whether it’s for human rights, faith, honor or respect we are ALL fighting battles every day. And in this day and time, it is nice to know we are not alone.
By nominating a warrior or self-nominating themselves, one Warrior has the chance to win a hometown screening of the film, Warrior, from AMC Theatres.
To answer the question “What Do You Fight For” in your own words, or to nominate a warrior fighting for something important to you, visit: www.WeAreAllWarriors.com.
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