Means of Production

Sport in America: Our Defining Stories

Athletes and fans explore the impact of sports on the lives of Americans.

TOMBOY

TOMBOY explores the obstacles that young girls encounter on the recreational stage, the stereotypes, language issues and cultural disparities that follow, and ultimately the insufficient media coverage and compensation that afflicts elite professional athletes seeking full recognition for their talents. The journey of the female athlete is often discouraging, and despite progress achieved during the Title IX era, gender equity in athletics has a long way to go.

Russia's Hooligan Army

At the 2016 European Championships, violent clashes between Russian and English supporters in Marseille put the spotlight on Russian hooliganism. Russian hooligans injured over 100 English supporters, beating two into a coma, and it raised serious concerns ahead of Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup. Filmmaker Alex Stockley von Statzer travels to Russia to experience the country's football fan culture first hand. Featuring footage filmed in Marseille in 2016, rare interviews with members of some of the most feared firms like the Spartak Gladiators and Orel Butchers, and new footage of an organised fight for wannabe recruits, this show uncovers a world where brutal violence has become a mark of honour and a symbol of newly resurgent Russian masculinity.

Long Distance Runner

György Schirilla, known for his long-distance running and swimming across the icy Danube, ran to Moscow to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. A year later, a bistro was built in his honour in the small Hungarian village of Kenderes. Gyula Gazdag captured moments of his run to Kenderes and the opening ceremony. The film's original title comes from a "poem" delivered by the village council president, which included the line: "We can always count on your long run."

Hell on Wheels

Year after year hundreds of thousands of fans line the route of the Tour de France, cheering on their heroes and willing them to victory, while millions of viewers worldwide tune in on their televisions. Academy Award-winning director Pepe Danquart, fascinated by the spectacle of the three week race, chose to focus on the courage, the pain and the fear of the riders of the Tour. Training his lens on German superstar sprinter Eric Zabel and his loyal domestique Rolf Aldag, Danquart captures the thrill of the race and the teamwork behind the stars of the peleton. He also shines light on the Tour's supporting cast - the director sportifs, masseurs, and, of course, the wildly enthusiastic fans. Reveling in the stunning landscape - from the Alps to the Pyrenees to the Massif Central to Paris - and with a nice dollop of Le Tour's history, HELL ON WHEELS transcends the sport it celebrates to reveal an astonishing human endeavor.

13 Days in France

This colorful documentary chronicles the events of the 1968 Winter Olympics in France. The events made international celebrities of skater Peggy Fleming and skier Jean-Claude Killy for their gold-medal performances. The camera accurately catches the speed of bobsleds and downhill racers and ski jumpers as they race for the gold. President Charles DeGaulle is shown observing the action over 13 days, which saw France earn the best performance to date in the winter games.

Touching the Void

The true story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates' disastrous and nearly-fatal mountain climb of 6,344m Siula Grande in the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.

King Lines

King Lines follows Chris Sharma on his search for the planet's greatest climbs. From South American fantasy boulders to the sweeping limestone walls of Europe, Sharma finds and climbs the hardest, most spectacular routes. Off the coast of Mallorca he discovers his most outrageous project yet, a 70 foot arch rising from the Mediterranean Sea...

A Girl's Game

In September 2014 Zinacantepec Mexico City hosted the World Basque Pelota Championships . Gold at a world title is the maximum that can suck a woman in this sport. It is the roof of pelota . No professional women , can not earn a living from the pediment , as other men do. But until this year, the best athlete on the pediment was a woman.

Frei:Gespielt - Mehmet Scholl - Über das Spiel hinaus

Barney: Het Verdriet van een Wereldkampioen

Documentary about the life of the five-time darts world champion, Raymond van Barneveld. After winning the world title for the fifth time in 2007, constant pressure and the desire for success prevailed.

ROLLER DERBY IN THE LOW COUNTRIES

In this short documentary, we take a look at the history and future of roller derby in the Netherlands, while also touching on subjects such as image and the rise of men’s teams in this traditionally female sport. We tried to capture the Roller Derby culture with grungy 16mm film overlays and an eclectic mix of colors, switching from black and white, back to color. This, combined with the use of stock footage, the Whip It trailer and choice of music really help to sell the vibe and sensibilities of roller derby.

A Cinderella Season: The Lady Vols Fight Back

The University of Tennessee lady volunteer basketball team is followed during their 1996 season.

Copinha

For the first time, Esporte Clube Macapá will compete in the Copinha, the world’s largest under-20 football tournament. For young prospects from Amapá, the competition represents a rare chance to gain visibility. In Brazil’s Amazonian north, they are often overlooked — but in the Copinha, their matches will be broadcast nationwide, watched by scouts and agents connected to major clubs.

Jocky Wilson Said

Rare archive footage and Jocky Wilson's own words tell the story of the rise and fall of a cult Scottish sportman. Featuring interviews with his friends and darts contemporaries.

Kid Rock

Full of nostalgia and charm, Kid Rock is an exposé of a young black man, Tadros Eyob’s journey into rock climbing in British Columbia.

Champions Factory: New Zealand's Black Blood

Queen Vee

Violet Palmer is one of the best officials in the NBA - male or female. Players, family, and her fellow zebras attest to her excellence, and game footage demonstrates her uncanny ability to maintain both control and humanity at the same time. As her mother Gussie’s favorite player, Kobe Bryant, says: She does a kick-ass job.

Projekt Gold

Documentary shows the German national handball team on their way to winning the title at the 2007 World Cup in their own country.

Perfect moment - L'aventure continue

On land, sea and air: sport and extreme sensations. On the program, among others: Garret McNamara's fight with "Jaws", a formidable surfing spot, snowboarding with Xavier De Le Rue, three times world champion, windsurfing with Josh Angulo in Cape Verde, freefly with the parachutists of Team Babylon.