In 1994 the Olympic Movement made a major change and shifted schedules, alternating between the Summer and Winter Games every two years. The small Norwegian village of Lillehammer was the host for this first staggered edition of the Winter Games, coming 24 months after Albertville, France had its own moment in the snow. Lillehammer ’94: […]
Film
The Dutch Narrative
As discussed last time, there are two official films associated with the 1928 Amsterdam Games. Aside from documenting sporting achievements, together this pair of silent films seems to represent an important split between recording and storytelling in sports documentaries. Until now the genre seemed mostly concerned with archive creation. The Olympic Games, Amsterdam 1928 1928192 […]
An Amsterdam Marathon
The IX Olympiad in Amsterdam // AMSTERDAM 1928 The IX Olympiad in Amsterdam 1928251 MINUTES, BLACK & WHITE, SILENTDirector unknown This week we’re discussing The IX Olympiad in Amsterdam, the film of the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games. This is actually one of two official films produced. Without getting too deep into the details, this film […]
The Angels Sing for Sailer
WHITE VERTIGO // CORTINA D’AMPEZZO 1956 White Vertigo 195696 minutes, colorDirected byGiorgio Ferroni The VII Olympic Winter Games at Cortina d’Ampezzo occupy a fascinating moment in the 20th Century. Postwar optimism and prosperity offered an opportunity for a lavish event, but without the bulging scale that would come later. There were a slew of firsts […]
California Glory
16 Days of Glory // LOS ANGELES 1984 16 Days of Glory 1986284 minutes, colorDirected byBud Greenspan 16 Days of Glory, the story of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, is a logical place to kick off this collaboration, full of familiar faces and stories. It is also the first in a string of 11 […]