Wilbur: The King in the Ring

Former pro wrestler Wilbur McDougall was battling addiction and self-imposed isolation before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. For this serio-comic documentary, he let university mate J Ollie Lucks film his journey of transformation. McDougall needs a new wrestling persona — and the "happiness and self-acceptance that has eluded him for so long". Will his friendship with Lucks survive, as the filmmaker jumps at the story from the top rope? Lucks and Julia Parnell's feature began in 2015 as a short film for Loading Docs. The long version debuted at 2017's Doc Edge Festival.

...moments of improvisation and moments of surprise, not knowing what is real and what is not.

– Wilbur McDougall draws similarities between wrestling and the film, in an interview with Stuff, 21 May 2017

Key Cast & Crew

Julia Parnell

Co-Director, Producer

Nicola Peeperkoorn

Story Development, Producer

Jan Oliver Lucks

Subject, Co-Director

Bevan Crothers

Cinematographer

Greg Junovich

Sound Mix

Nick Buckton

Sound Mix