Love Means Zero
Tennis films have been all the rage lately, as exemplified by last year's AFF hits Borg McEnroe and Battle of the Sexes, and A Coach's Daughter and John McEnroe - In the Realm of Perfection from the 2018 New Horizons FF. This year offers yet another hit, Love Means Zero, devoted to a legend of American tennis who never won Wimbledon or the French Open, but was behind the wins of many. Nick Bollettieri, famous for his strict and unscrupulous methods, coached champions like Serena Williams, Boris Becker and Andre Agassi. Jason Kohn's documentary devotes the most time to the trainer's relationship with the latter. For an entire decade, the golden child of American tennis was under Bolletieri's tutelage, who offered nearly paternal care over his charges, but could change akin to Jekyll-and-Hyde in the event of their failures. What memories did the narcissistic tyrant's training leave in the minds of his pupils? How does he assess his own life today?
awards
Cleveland IFF 2018 – Best Documentary
Jason Kohn
Born in 1984 on Long Island (New York), the American director graduated from Brandeis University (Massachusetts), then interned for two years with Errol Morris, an American filmmaking legend. Kohn's first documentary Send a Bullet (2007) was shot in Brazil and was awarded the Jury Prize and the prize for best cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival. Love Means Zero is his second full-length film; it is largely dedicated to Andre Agassi and coach Nick Bollettieri.
Filmography
2007 Dostać kulkę / Manda bala / Send a Bullet
2015 Signals (tv, co-dir.)
2017 W tenisie love znaczy zero / Love Means Zero
Cast & Crew
