Corona Cork Film Festival

Passion suffuses every moment of this uplifting documentary about one man’s physical and spiritual quest. The film resists easy categorization - it’s simultaneously a thrilling sports movie, an insightfu journey to a new world, and a lyrical personal story.

Mystic Ball follows Greg Hamilton, the filmmaker, deep into the ancient and little-known culture of Myanmar and its traditional sport, chinlone. Like the film, chinlone is hard to define. It’s a team sport without an opposing team, part dance, part meditation. There is no competition, no winners and no losers. The game is back-breakingly difficult, yet is played by almost all Burmese, from young children to octogenarians.

The film follows Greg’s transformation from outsider obsessed with learning chinlone to accomplished teammate of the masters of the game. But sport is only one aspect of his journey. Through chinlone, Greg discovers things he didn’t even know he was looking for: family, community and love.

The documentary’s stunning cinematography and inspiring story will give you a sense of the mystical, and encourage a closer look at your own journey.

Audience Award for Best Canadian Feature Film — Vancouver International Film Festival
Special Jury Award for Best Canadian Feature – Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival