U.S.-based global distributor PBS Intl. is bringing a team of sports-themed documentaries to MipTV in conjunction with this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.
“Olympic Dreams” travels to Sierra Leone, one of the world's poorest countries struggling to recover from 11 years of civil war. This film follows the trials and tribulations of charismatic former Sierra Leone Olympic sprinter Sanusi Turai and his most talented athletes, Sara Bona and Papa Aryeh Bangura, as they train for the 2004 Olympics. It depicts how to overcome. Their battles aren't just on the track. To achieve our goals, we must also fight poverty and corruption.
“Olympic Dreams” was directed by Laura Ashton and Ron Orders. Produced by Ilona Benjamin for Urban Films and WGBH/Boston.
“The Boys of '36” follows the journey of nine working-class boys from the University of Washington who took the rowing world by storm when their eight-oar crew team won a gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The sons of lumberjacks, shipyard workers, and farmers overcame mental, physical, and financial hardships to triumph over Ivy League teams on the East Coast as well as the elite rowers of Adolf Hitler's Germany. . Their story was also the inspiration for George Clooney's recent film The Boys in the Boat.
“The Boys of the '36” was inspired by Daniel James Brown's nonfiction book “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.”
This documentary is an Elastic String Productions film for PBS's signature history series “American Experience.” Written by Aaron Cohen, directed by Margaret Grossi, and produced by Grossi and Mary Carrillo.
“Nazi Games – Berlin 1936” delves into the collaboration between the Nazis and the International Olympic Committee, exposing the corruption that shaped the Games. Through archival footage and expert analysis, this documentary sheds light on the opaque dealings behind the Olympic surface.
“Nazi Games – Berlin 1936” was written and directed by Christoph Weber. The executive producer is Bernd Wilting. It was produced by Taglicht Media in collaboration with PBS Distribution, Pre TV, ORF and ZDF.
Finally, “Jesse Owens” pays homage to the athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics and resisted Hitler's ideology of Aryan supremacy.Owens' achievements on the circuit made him a symbol of resilience and hope, but his accomplishments were overshadowed by the challenges of racism in the United States.
The documentary was produced by Stanley Nelson and directed by Lawrence Grant. The executive producer is Mark Sammels. Produced by Firelight Media for GBH and American Experience.
“As the world prepares for the Paris Olympics, we're excited to bring you a compelling story of courage and triumph,” said Joe Barrett, vice president of global sales for PBS Intl. . “These documentaries not only celebrate the spirit of athleticism, but also shed light on the complex stories surrounding the Olympics.”
