Fuori dalle corde (2007)

Michele Lo Russo, known as Mike, is a thirty-year-old boxer who is an orphan of both parents and lives in Trieste. Encouraged by his sister Anna, a worker at a fish shop, he has great ambitions in the world of boxing, but a decisive defeat causes his relationship with his manager to break down, and the manager does not renew his contract. Deeply disappointed and struggling financially, Michele has to move in with Anna. Soon afterward, he gets involved in illegal fights, where he puts his physical strength to use and wins many bouts, earning large sums of money. Driven by a rebellious streak, he leaves his sister, meets Ramirez, who also makes a living from illegal fights, and moves in with him. The two develop a friendship, but Michele, sensitive at heart and disgusted by the squalid world he has entered, soon realizes that he wants to change his life. Frustrated and confused, he reacts violently when his sister visits and tries to take him home. Then, left alone, he gives vent to all his distress. After a fight, Michele says that he no longer wants to fight. Bargni, the organizer of the illegal bouts, then makes him an offer: to step into the ring one last time, with the prospect of earning thirty thousand euros if he wins. The money would allow Michele to pay off all his debts and give him and his sister the peace of mind they need. He is therefore taken to Switzerland, where he is to fight inside an empty swimming pool. To his great surprise, he finds that his opponent is Ramirez. Michele tries to leave the makeshift arena, but his friend forces him to fight. Michele accidentally knocks Ramirez to the ground. Ramirez hits his head and is left fighting for his life, while Michele calls on Bargni for help, but Bargni runs away, revealing the full extent of his moral squalor. Michele lifts Ramirez onto his shoulders, reaches a nearby road, and puts him in a passing car. Finally, he sets off down the dark, deserted road.