Matt 1Review Three: Salute
August 19th 2008 17:27
My third review is on a lesser known but very recent documentary called Salute, directed by Matt Norman.
Plot Synopsis
Given that this is a documentary the 'plot' is naturally a true story, and in this case mostly a flashback to the events surrounding a particular incident and time: the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and the actions of Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman.
What these three 200 metre runners did would be etched into history.
In a tribute to the African-American voices that were seemingly unheard in the United States' civil rights movement, the men chose to give a public 'salute' on the world's most public stage.
The film outlines the social environment that clouded the United States in the 1960s, how that impacted on American athletes such as Carlos and Smith, the repercussions of their actions and how an unknown Australian, Norman, got involved.
Matty T's Rant
In terms of iconic Olympic moments, this one from 1968 would rank among the very best. For sporting greatness and triumph the race itself was not really all that important, with the main surprise being that Peter Norman, a late blooming sprinter and white Australian, would come close to his two more highly fancied African-American counterparts. However, in terms of politics and social significance this moment is one that needs to be remembered.
That Matt Norman - Peter Norman's nephew - chose to document this story and make a film that could itself potentially spark controversy and re-ignite debate on whether politics and sport can or should be separate is a credit to him.
Mixing contemporary interviews of his three main stars, Smith, Carlos and of course, Norman, alongside those with other modern and past athletes and officials, with historical footage of the race and the deeper issues of race back in the United States sees the movie cover this issue as thoroughly as could be imaginable. At a runtime of exactly two hours, my chief criticism of the film is that it perhaps goes into that much depth that at times it repeats itself and goes on for a little too long.
Yet in 2008, when both Australia and the United States would consider the events of Mexico City and the arguably racist social policies of their countries in that era to be long behind them, the background behind the iconic moment makes compelling viewing.
Perhaps most interesting to watch and hear are the opinions of those who still believe that the 'salute' was an unnecessary, attention-seeking act that had no relevance or significance at the time. This is a far cry from a majority of what the film is about: equality of all people, the fight against racism and standing up for what you believe in.
While all documentaries to some extent attempt to portray something that actually happened in a particular light, this film really is wonderful for the fact that along with the iconic image of the act, it is an account of an event that has seen not nearly enough light in public.
Matty T's Recommendation:
Admittedly this film won't be everybody's cup of tea. Some might find it to be too tedious. Others probably just don't care enough about the Olympics or want to know who Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman are. To be honest, when I saw this film me and my three friends were the only people in the entire cinema! Yet the greater issue, isn't the nail-biting 200 metre race but race in general and civil rights.
That the repercussions of this event remain are just as amazing as those of 1968, with Norman not invited to his country's own Olympic games in Sydney 2000, although he remains Australia's supreme 200 metre sprinter. This film certainly proves that politics in sport exists, no matter how much some people try to shy away from it.
Matty T's Rating:
Matt Norman has created a moving film that will serve as both a beacon on social justice and important historical document.
I only hope that more people take notice of this movie and go and see it whether at the cinema or on DVD.
Given that I am a big fan of 20th century history and sport I found Salute to be a likeable and interesting movie that captures the significance of an important event; yet also throws up a number of questions about politics, sport, the Olympics and civil rights.
* * * * (4 stars)
Plot Synopsis
Given that this is a documentary the 'plot' is naturally a true story, and in this case mostly a flashback to the events surrounding a particular incident and time: the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and the actions of Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman.
What these three 200 metre runners did would be etched into history.
In a tribute to the African-American voices that were seemingly unheard in the United States' civil rights movement, the men chose to give a public 'salute' on the world's most public stage.
The film outlines the social environment that clouded the United States in the 1960s, how that impacted on American athletes such as Carlos and Smith, the repercussions of their actions and how an unknown Australian, Norman, got involved.
Matty T's Rant
In terms of iconic Olympic moments, this one from 1968 would rank among the very best. For sporting greatness and triumph the race itself was not really all that important, with the main surprise being that Peter Norman, a late blooming sprinter and white Australian, would come close to his two more highly fancied African-American counterparts. However, in terms of politics and social significance this moment is one that needs to be remembered.
That Matt Norman - Peter Norman's nephew - chose to document this story and make a film that could itself potentially spark controversy and re-ignite debate on whether politics and sport can or should be separate is a credit to him.
Mixing contemporary interviews of his three main stars, Smith, Carlos and of course, Norman, alongside those with other modern and past athletes and officials, with historical footage of the race and the deeper issues of race back in the United States sees the movie cover this issue as thoroughly as could be imaginable. At a runtime of exactly two hours, my chief criticism of the film is that it perhaps goes into that much depth that at times it repeats itself and goes on for a little too long.
Yet in 2008, when both Australia and the United States would consider the events of Mexico City and the arguably racist social policies of their countries in that era to be long behind them, the background behind the iconic moment makes compelling viewing.
Perhaps most interesting to watch and hear are the opinions of those who still believe that the 'salute' was an unnecessary, attention-seeking act that had no relevance or significance at the time. This is a far cry from a majority of what the film is about: equality of all people, the fight against racism and standing up for what you believe in.
While all documentaries to some extent attempt to portray something that actually happened in a particular light, this film really is wonderful for the fact that along with the iconic image of the act, it is an account of an event that has seen not nearly enough light in public.
Matty T's Recommendation:
Admittedly this film won't be everybody's cup of tea. Some might find it to be too tedious. Others probably just don't care enough about the Olympics or want to know who Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman are. To be honest, when I saw this film me and my three friends were the only people in the entire cinema! Yet the greater issue, isn't the nail-biting 200 metre race but race in general and civil rights.
That the repercussions of this event remain are just as amazing as those of 1968, with Norman not invited to his country's own Olympic games in Sydney 2000, although he remains Australia's supreme 200 metre sprinter. This film certainly proves that politics in sport exists, no matter how much some people try to shy away from it.
Matty T's Rating:
Matt Norman has created a moving film that will serve as both a beacon on social justice and important historical document.
I only hope that more people take notice of this movie and go and see it whether at the cinema or on DVD.
Given that I am a big fan of 20th century history and sport I found Salute to be a likeable and interesting movie that captures the significance of an important event; yet also throws up a number of questions about politics, sport, the Olympics and civil rights.
* * * * (4 stars)
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