The Fencer is a 13-and-a-half-minute American dramatic short film directed by Nicholas Marchetti. It explores competitive fencing through an intense narrative intertwining sport, family relationships and life choices.
The story follows Gabbie, a promising young fencer who has devoted years of her life to the discipline, becoming one of the country's best fencers. Guiding her is her father Enzo, her coach, a demanding and ambitious figure determined to help her achieve goals he could never attain himself.
Gabbie is played by Bear D’Angelo, while Enzo is portrayed by Ray Abruzzo, known for roles in television series such as The Sopranos. Together they create a complex, profound father–daughter dynamic set amid demanding training and high-level competition.
The turning point comes when Gabbie suffers a serious injury. The film then focuses on her inner conflict, divided between preserving her health and leaving a lasting mark on the sporting world. The choice between health and a sporting career becomes the narrative's emotional focus.
The Fencer stands out for its realistic, dramatic approach to sport, highlighting personal sacrifice, family expectations and the psychological cost of competitive excellence. The film was completed on 10 January 2025 in the United States. It is neither a student project nor the director's first work.
Film Details
Title: The Fencer
Original title: The Fencer
Director: Nicholas Marchetti
Production: Angela Wong Carbone, George N. Makrinos, Alanah Rafferty
Country: United States
Language: English
Running time: 13 minutes
Genre: Fiction / Drama
Sport featured: Fencing
Protagonist(s): Bear D’Angelo, Ray Abruzzo
Completion date: 10 January 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not specified]
Shooting format: Digital, colour
Director's first film: No
Student project: No