PING PONG (Hugh Hartford, UK). 76 minutes. Subtitled. Rating: NN
Watching a bunch of 80-year-olds play ping-pong may momentarily put a smile on your face, but Hugh Hartford’s doc rides that novelty from start to finish.
Eight seniors from all over the globe ranging in age from 80 to 100 compete in the World Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia. Their decision to stay active and pursue such goals instead of simply waiting to die is certainly inspirational. However, it’s hard to care, since Hartford doesn’t pay much attention to any one individual, either because his approach is too scattershot – covering as many contestants as he can – or none of his subjects proved all that interesting.
And it’s not like any of the ping-pong matches are riveting.
Apr 29, 4 pm, Isabel Bader Theatre May 2, 1:30 pm, Isabel Bader Theatre May 6, 1:15 pm, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.
