Why We Fight
Follow the lives of three world-class fighters from Ontario in this Canadian documentary, as they chase purpose, face sacrifice, and reveal what truly drives them—inside and outside the ring.
MEET OUR FIGHTERS
MEET OUR FIGHTERS
Cesar Bonilla
After a devastating family tragedy, Cesar steps back into the cage in his late 30s to chase one last shot at glory. This is the story of a fighter rebuilding from heartbreak, driven by something deeper than just the win.
Sara Bailey
(née Haghighat-Joo)
For Sara, boxing isn’t just a passion—it’s her entire life. With her husband in her corner and the world title on the line, she fights to stay on top while navigating the fine line between partnership and pressure.
Olivia Bahsous
Raised in a family of fighters, Olivia was born into the ring. Trained by her father with relentless intensity, she now carries the weight of legacy on her shoulders—and the pressure to carve out a name of her own.
The filmmakers
Orhan Sumen and Cengiz Ercan are Toronto-based filmmakers with over a decade of experience across film, television, and digital media. Orhan brings a multifaceted background in directing, editing, and production design, with past work spanning award-winning shorts, feature films, and massively successful YouTube content. Cengiz, an accomplished editor and rising director, brings a strong post-production sensibility and a passion for character-driven storytelling. Why We Fight marks their first feature documentary collaboration—blending lived experience, craft, and a shared commitment to telling human stories through the lens of sport.
They typically won’t smile for the camera.
