Director EVA LONGORIA BASTÓN (UK 2022) 102 min
Peeling back the deep layers of the cultural divide between Mexican Nationals and Mexican Americans, Director Eva Longoria Bastón uses the riveting spectacle of the 1996 Ultimate Glory boxing match between Julio César Chávez and Oscar De La Hoya to explore the underpinnings of the feud and shed new light on the compelling personal stories of the two boxers. Nicknamed the “Golden Boy”, De La Hoya’s 1992 Olympic gold medal win catapulted him to mainstream success, while Chavez dominated the boxing ring with gritty, hard-fought wins throughout the 80s. As the two boxers go on a national tour, the frenzy for the fight builds—De La Hoya or Chavez? This becomes the dividing line for fans everywhere and a complex measure of identity on both sides of the border. In revelatory contemporary interviews, both fighters confront the false perceptions that distorted who they were and obscured their personal struggles. Whether you are a fan of the “sweet science” or have no interest in boxing at all, La Guerra Civil will hit you with the kind of knock-out punch that only Chavez or De La Hoya could deliver.