Kachalka is the debut film by Gar O’Rourke. Gar graduated from Kingston University with a degree in landscape architecture and subsequently worked in a variety of creative careers before discovering his love of filmmaking. In 2016, whilst working in Toronto, he established a video production company, which he later relocated to Dublin. He has worked on many commercial campaigns, with a keen interest on documenting real life. He is now the creative director at RUFF Studio.

"From the moment I saw photos of this gym in a Whatsapp message I knew someone needed to make a film about this place. It has the reputation of being the 'most hardcore gym in the world' - I really wanted to see if this was true! What myself and our team discovered truly was a fascinating place, an enormous scrap metal site with machinery and muscles as far as you can see. What captures your attention first is the unique machinery which exists there, everything has been recycled from old Soviet industrial materials: old army tanks, parts of submarines and old tractor engines. Any materials the locals could bring from the old Soviet factories they creatively reimagined into the incredible machines you see there.  What is equally impressive is the various locals who frequent the gym daily, an eclectic group of young and old, women and men, rich and poor, enormous and frail. Locals call it a 'democratic forest', movie stars are often seen working out beside street sweepers. All inhibitions are placed aside here, people come to enjoy the fresh clean air and put some muscle on in the process. We loved making this film and getting to meet and sometimes even workout with the locals. It's a very special and unique place and I hope the film can do it some justice."