Gaea Girls

This captivating documentary focuses on the rural training camp of the Japanese wrestling organization Gaea, primarily following the journeys of four aspiring wrestlers. Leading the camp are two impressive figures: the tough champion Chigusa Nagaya, who channels her past trauma from her military father into pushing her trainees beyond their limits, and the refined yet somewhat intimidating Chairman. The film is intense and physically demanding, as anticipated, but the filmmakers handle it with a light touch. It effectively dispels any notions that wrestling is staged.