Over the previous many many years, I’ve been concerned with or interviewed for a lot of bodybuilding documentaries, significantly on girls’s bodybuilding. I’ve been dissatisfied by most of them. The authentic Pumping Iron, directed by the late George Butler, was a tremendous and efficient take a look at the world of aggressive bodybuilding, made extra so as a result of it featured the wonderful and efficient Arnold Schwarzenegger.
But Pumping Iron II: The Women, additionally created by George Butler, was a lot much less of a hit, for therefore many causes. I’m going to have to write down an article simply to element all that it lacked. Suffice it to say, this movie was extra of a “actuality present” than a documentary, very contrived, and didn’t present a lot perception into what the thrilling inclusion of girls within the bodybuilding world was all about.
Publicity photograph by Bill Dobbins. Bill DobbinsI sat down and had many conversations with George about feminine bodybuilding within the 12 months or so earlier than the manufacturing of the movie started, however I’m afraid he simply didn’t get it. Technically, the film was nicely made, however when it comes to telling an necessary story, it simply didn’t hit the mark.
Subsequently, as I turned often called a photographer and advocate of aesthetic feminine muscle, I used to be contacted by many TV exhibits and movie corporations to be interviewed on the topic. Many of those tasks have been moderately nicely carried out, however the issue was they have been created by individuals who have been principally ranging from scratch each time when it comes to understanding about bodybuilding for girls. So, all of them largely make the identical documentary time and again, from the fundamental beginnings and never asking about or exploring essentially the most fascinating and insightful features of this topic.
But then alongside got here Irene Andersen and her film Too Big For The World. This film is correct and fascinating with regards to feminine bodybuilding as a result of professional bodybuilder Irene is the topic being documented. She is to this film what Arnold was to Pumping Iron – the character that holds the story collectively. Irene is fascinating in some ways. For one, not like many different girls bodybuilders, she has stayed within the sport over time and has had an in depth profession. Women in bodybuilding typically retire a lot sooner than do the boys, that’s how onerous the game normally is for them. For one other, she is a mom and has managed to mix being a completive professional athlete with regular household life – no simple job. And, lastly, she may be very huge and muscular however completely unapologetic about it. Some could contemplate her to be “too huge for the world,” however she doesn’t. Nor do her many followers worldwide.
Irene Andersen has had a protracted profession and these days typically finishes within the prime 5 in professional contests. Bill DobbinsThe creators of this documentary don’t arrange synthetic situations to make the movie “extra fascinating.” In different phrases, they don’t attempt to make a phony actuality present out of it. You see the actual Irene, what her actual life is like together with her coaching and preparation for competitors. The film doesn’t glamorize Irene or her life. It does what a documentary is meant to do: it paperwork the truth of a topic.
Since the film was launched in 2016, Irene has continued to compete efficiently, extra just lately in contests promoted by Jake Wood and Wings of Strength. Since Jake got here on the scene there was a renaissance of professional bodybuilding from girls and an increasing number of extremely good champions have been getting into exhibits. And but Irene, born in 1966, has been steadily capable of end within the prime 5. This is kind of a tremendous accomplishment.
Irene in costume commemorates the time when the Aztecs invaded Sweden. Bill DobbinsIn some unspecified time in the future, Irene must retire – as all aggressive athletes ultimately do. But she won’t solely go away behind an admirable document of feat in her chosen sport however an excellent documentary that provides followers and viewers an actual schooling in what feminine bodybuilding and her aggressive profession have been all about.
Too Big For The World is obtainable on-line. If you’re a fan of feminine bodybuilding and even simply bodybuilding on the whole, and also you haven’t seen it – you’re actually lacking one thing extraordinary.
TOO BIG FOR THE WORLD: RENT OR OWN ON AMAZON
Irene Andersen is clearly not in Sweden anymore. Bill DobbinsIrene Andersen Competition History
2021 Ms. Olympia 5
2021 Rising Phoenix 12
2020 Ms. Olympia 5
2020 Rising Phoenix 5
2019 Toronto Pro 4
2019 Puerto Rico Pro 6
2019 Tampa Pro 8
2019 Rising Phoenix 3
2018 Norfolk Pro 7
2018 Tampa Pro 8
2018 Romania Muscle Fest 4
2017 Puerto Rico Pro 3
2017 Omaha Pro 5
2017 Toronto Pro 6
2017 Rising Phoenix 13
2016 Tampa Pro 7
2016 Rising Phoenix 8
2015 Omaha Pro 9
2015 Chicago Pro 8
2015 Rising Phoenix 14
2013 Tampa Pro 10
2012 Tampa Pro 16
2012 Europa Hartford Battle of Champions 16
2010 Europa Hartford Battle of Champions 16
2010 Tampa Pro 18
2009 Tampa Pro 10
2009 New York Pro 16
2008 Atlantic City Pro 12
2008Europa Supershow Dallas Pro 4
2008 Tampa Pro 15
2007 Atlantic City Pro 12
2007 Jan Tana Classic 4
2007 Sacramento Pro 7
2006 Atlantic City Pro 18
2004 Lucia Classic 1
2004 Swedish Championships 1
Senior 1
Veteran 1
Couple 4
Rookie of the Year
2003 Luciapokalen 1
Publicity photograph by Bill Dobbins. Bill Dobbins
https://www.muscleandfitness.com/flexonline/irene-andersen-not-too-big-for-my-world/
