The world needs a little happiness right now. It needs a story of perseverance and success; Zion is just that. Growing up with no legs, one might think that nearly everything is beyond reach, one might believe that the possibilities for a person like this do not include much, but Zion Clark looks his obstacles in the eye and then busts the door down. He knows that he is built differently than others and that the things he will face in his lifetime will be much different than the things that others face, but he refuses to let these difficulties deter him from accomplishing his goals in life. Zion was born in 1997, in Columbus, Ohio with no legs and a family who wanted nothing to do with him. He was dragged through the foster care system until he was sixteen years old, when Kimberly Clark essentially saved his life. She took him in and gave him everything that she was able to. One day Zion began wrestling, and this is where Floyd Russ’ award winning documentary, Zion comes into play.
Eleven minutes is all Russ needs to produce a heartfelt and tear jerking story of determination and success. Russ is able to quickly dive deep into the life and the struggles of Zion Clark and the people who play significant roles in his world and in his success. Russ, and his crew, are able to get up close and personal and provide audiences some semblance of shock value when first introducing those viewers to Zion and his story. Once he and the crew grip the audience, they refuse to let go. Shots of success, of defeat and of incredible struggle allow viewers to absorb and appreciate the difficult but incredible life of the subject.
In general Zion is compelling and entertaining, however, it is the way in which Zion Clark is presented to the world that makes it possible for audiences to appreciate him. He is humble and honest. He is able to admit that he was not always the perfect child and that he was often difficult to handle while moving throughout the foster care system. This part of him is what is most appealing. Success is often met with admiration, but being able to come to terms with your own shortcomings and mistakes takes the cake in terms of character and personality. He is likable and relatable in many ways. It seems obvious that audiences would admire Zion Clark for his courage, but he brings so much more to the table and is a wonderful subject for Russ to focus on.
From the opening moments of Zion, Russ, Zion Clarke, Kimberly Clark and Zion’s wrestling coach, Gilbert Donahue, bring to light one of the most remarkable stories I have ever heard. Getting up close and personal, diving into the backstory and feeling like one becomes a part of the story of Zion Clarke appeals to many varieties of audiences.
Furthermore, the subject includes sports, gripping and engaging an entirely new set of eyes. It is no wonder that Zion has found such an incredible amount of success. It is short and quick, but Zion hits every nail on the head and crawls its way into the hearts of each and every one of its viewers.
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