2021 Filmmaker In Residence
Like most immigrants who came to the United States, boxing was used as a way to get out of the ghettos and prove that you were a tough American. Every ethnic group can claim their boxing legends and tell stories of when they ruled the ring.
Jews were no different. Some of the greatest boxers of all time were Jewish. In fact, the sport of Boxing as we know it today was shaped by a Jew. Why do we as a people not know about this or claim our warriors of the ring? Star in the Ring is a historical documentary reviving that lost chapter in history. Giving pride back to other names then just Mark Spitz, Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg.
Holden Kepecs has been a film editor for over thirty years. Twenty-five of those thirty as Senior Editor for the brilliant journalist Linda Ellerbee at her company Lucky Duck Productions where he helped to create the look for the show: Nick News with Linda Ellerbee, which won every award given in television. Currently Holden is a freelance editor working for various networks including ABC, NBC and Hulu as well as various production companies in New York. While doing research on Heavyweight Champion Max Baer, Holden was surprised to lean how many Jewish boxers there were between the two World Wars. As well as the extensive effect Jews played in sport of boxing overall. He began to make Star in the Ring as a way to revive this lost chapter of history and also instill pride to Jews who can only name Mark Spitz, Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg as famous Jewish athletes. Holden lives in New York City with his wife and two children who are both in college.
Project description and bios courtesy of the Resident