Pocket Hercules: Naim Süleymanoglu (2019)

Pocket Hercules: Naim Süleymanoglu (2019) is a biographical sports drama that follows the extraordinary life of Naim Süleymanoglu, the diminutive but indomitable weightlifter who became one of the greatest champions in the sport. The film traces his journey from a poor childhood in Bulgaria’s Turkish minority, through early discovery of his prodigious talent, to the political and personal struggles that forced him to leave his homeland and compete for Turkey — ultimately becoming an Olympic icon and world-record breaker. Watching the movie, you’ll experience a mix of high-tension competition sequences and intimate human drama: gritty, visceral training montages; nail-biting meet scenes that convey the physical and psychological pressure of elite lifting; and quieter moments that reveal the family bonds, cultural identity conflicts, and sacrifices behind the medals. The story balances triumphant sporting achievement with the emotional cost of exile and national expectation, providing historical context about the era and the politics that shaped Naim’s career. Overall, the film delivers an inspiring, sometimes bittersweet portrait of perseverance and pride. Viewers will likely come away energized by the athletic performances, moved by the personal struggles, and impressed by the sheer will that made “Pocket Hercules” a sporting legend.

Actors: Hayat Van Eck, Selen Öztürk, Yetkin Dikinciler

Director: Ozer Feyzioglu

Runtime: 141 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport

8.2 /10 8.2 /10