Five chapters, five rounds that through boxing tell the true story of the “Judean Beast.” This is the name that was given to Herzko Haft during his boxing career in German concentration camps. Interned at only the age of fourteen, Herzko never gave in to his fate and fought Nazism guided by his love for Leah. Blessed with good muscular size and considerable physical endurance, he was chosen by an SS officer as a “volunteer” for prisoner boxing matches. Herzko won 75 fights. Once free, he landed in America under the name Harry Haft to find Leah again. He had to get his name in all the newspapers to let her know that he, too, had fled to the States. And there was only one way to do it: to defeat the heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky Marciano. Harry’s private story represents issues that are more relevant than ever: laws based on race, welcoming those who flee
from war, the spectacularization of violence. The cinematic setting of the show allows the viewer to feel the actuality of this story. Boxing restores to the protagonist the dignity he had been denied in Europe. Despite the violence inherent in it, the sport does not distinguish between races, religious beliefs or countries of origin. In the ring we all sweat equally. We all bleed the same way.