Lightning Before Thunder

Olympia: Part One – Festival of the Nations(de)

Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. This first half of her two-part film opens with a renowned introduction that compares modern Olympians to classical Greek heroes, then goes on to provide thrilling in-the-moment coverage of some of the games' most celebrated moments, including African-American athlete Jesse Owens winning a then-unprecedented four gold medals.

Olympia: Part Two – Festival of Beauty(de)

Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. Where the two-part epic's first half, Festival of the Nations, focused on the international aspects of the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, part two, The Festival of Beauty, concentrates on individual athletes such as equestrians, gymnasts, and swimmers, climaxing with American Glenn Morris' performance in the decathalon and the games' majestic closing ceremonies.

Les yeux dans les Bleus(fr)

This documentary follows the French soccer team on their way to victory in the 1998 World Cup in France. Stéphane Meunier spent the whole time filming the players, the coach and some other important characters of this victory, giving us a very intimate and nice view of them, as if we were with them.

Moneyball: Playing the Game(en)

Cast and crew discuss the film's authentic recreation of baseball scenes and the landscape of the 2002 baseball season, sets and filming locales, costuming, and more.

La Cordée de Rêve(fr)

La Cordée de Rêve traces the great alpine journey made from August 2000 to February 2001 by Patrick Berhault. His great crossing of the Alps, here told to his daughter, will be done sometimes alone, sometimes surrounded by friends: Patrick Gabarrou, Patrick Edlinger, Ottavio Fassini, Gaël Bouquet des Chaux, Valérie Aumage, Philippe Magnin. During this alpine trip he will find his brother-in-arms Patrick Edlinger for the dolimitic part and will also see the genesis of the "Cordée Magique Berhault/Magnin". For 167 days, in sneakers in the fall, on touring skis in the winter, Patrick Berhault chained 2 to 3 stages of an average hiker daily, swallowing 1,500 to 2,000 meters of vertical drop and up to 45 kilometers per day. , and climbed 22 peaks. It's called that: "La Grande Cordée" but behind this title lies an exceptional human and sporting performance.

1975: Year of Turns(es)

The 1975 Metropolitan Championship was, for River, more than the conquest of a title; it marked the end of an agony that required the efforts of historical figures of the club. In the midst of a political and economic crisis, the film documents the tensions and challenges that had to be overcome in order to achieve the yearned-for lap of honor.

Outlaw(en)

A video-verité manifesto made with self-identified gender outlaw, author and activist, Leslie Feinberg (1949-2014). Raw and confrontational, this videotape asks its audience to examine their assumptions about the "nature" of gender, challenging any nead certainties and calling for more sensitivity and awareness of the human rights and dignity of trans people.

Gloves Without Ring(es)

The conflicts of female boxers in Cuba are addressed. The film tells the life stories of members of the women's boxing team, who has to face many obstacles until the official practice of that sport was finally autorized in Cuba, in December 2022.

Dans le vent(fr)

Short subject on how fashion is created-- not by the great couturiers, but on the street.

Draussen bleiben(de)

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait(fr)

Halfway between a sports documentary and an conceptual art installation, "Zidane" consists in a full-length soccer game (Real Madrid vs. Villareal, April 23, 2005) entirely filmed from the perspective of soccer superstar Zinedine Zidane.

Higher Ground(en)

Thomas de Dorlodot and Horacio Llorens journeyed for a personal adventure across the Himalayan mountains. They covered roughly 350km and became the very first paragliders to fly over Rohtang Pass.

Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag(en)

An immersive documentary experience inspired by the life of Jackie Robinson told by the next generation of baseball fans and the sound of hip hop.

Crimea. The Stolen Peninsula(uk)

Documentary film about war crime — annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

Pumping Iron(en)

Amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests as five-time champion Arnold Schwarzenegger defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young Lou Ferrigno.

Permanently Inhabited Stranger(hr)

In this documentary Edo Maajka, Bosnian hip hop star talks about war, his life as a refugee, war crimes, forgiving and making peace, nationalism, music scene in Croatia and Bosnia, Balkans mentality, love and hate, cevap restaurants, Sava river, partings, life of music stars, Lepa Brena and Nele Karajlic, politicians. His mode of narration and his charisma, his sincerity and his relaxed camera appearance will surely capture the spectators' attention.

Trem da Alegria - Arte, Futebol e Ofício(pt)

Football Under Cover(en)

David Asmmann's Football Under Cover documents the hard work involved in setting up an exhibition soccer match, known as a "friendly," between a German girls squad and Iranian women's team. In addition to showing how the two groups come from very different cultures, the documentary showcases what playing the game means to the members of both teams, and displays how passionate the fans of these two squads are.

Tyson(en)

Director James Toback takes an unflinching, uncompromising look at the life of Mike Tyson--almost solely from the perspective of the man himself. TYSON alternates between the controversial boxer addressing the camera and shots of the champion's fights to create an arresting picture of the man.

Filhos de João, O Admirável Mundo Novo Baiano(pt)

A panorama of Brazilian popular music from the 60s and 70s through the musical group Novos Baianos. A retrospective of the community lifestyle adopted by its members and the influence inherited from singer João Gilberto.