Scott Haze, who will be playing Lester Ballard in James Franco‘s upcoming adaptation of Cormac McCarthy‘s Child Of God, will premiere his own film, a documentary about wrestler Lee Kemp, at the 2012 Olympic Games. Titled Ghost & Goblins, the film will offer up an intriguing look at the life of Kemp, who overcame many adversities to become an Olympic champion only to be denied the opportunity to compete.
Check out the synopsis for the film below.
This penetrating documentary explores the rise of one of the countries greatest Olympic athletes of all time, wrestling legend Lee Kemp. Director Scott Haze chronicles Lee’s enthralling journey from birth with a serious physical handicap to his legs, to escaping the dangerous streets of Cleveland immediately following the Hough Riots where Lee was uprooted to an all white neighborhood. Now faced with a new war of racial adversity, he discovered his calling and solace on the wrestling mat where he could take control and find victory over the demons staring him in the face; changing the face of wrestling forever. He continued to battle the horrors of social and political attacks, never wavering from his ultimate goal until it was stripped from him. On January 23rd, 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced America’s boycott of the Olympic Summer games in Moscow, stunning a nation and leaving one wrestling legend staring into the eyes of a battle he never wished to face.
The film, which is being produced by Lukas Behnken and Danielle Scheid, is sure to strike a chord with not only wrestling fans, but sports fans everywhere. An Olympic premiere for a film is very rare and prestigious and to me it signals that this thought-provoking and powerful story must be of high quality.
Haze is currently working on the documentary while also working on another film for close friend James Franco. That film is Black Dog Red Dog, it’s a project that Franco is creating with the class he teaches at NYU.
Scott Haze may not be a household name just yet but he has several strong acting credits in cinema, as well as acting, writing and directing credits in theatre, including the critically acclaimed plays including Devil’s Night and Angel Asylum.
We will keep you posted on more news about the project as it arises but be sure to look out for it at this Summer’s Olympic Games.