A series of 11 original Canadian short films inspired by winter sports and Olympic athletes premieres with less than one week to go before the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Hosted by Seamus O’Regan, ATHLETES IN MOTION airs Sunday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Bravo! (check local listings). The one-hour special combines the brightest homegrown directors, actors, musicians, cinematographers, animators, and choreographers with world-class Canadian athletes. The athletes share their fascinating stories through film while celebrating Vancouver 2010.
Commissioned by CTV’s Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent), the 11 shorts recently won the Best Drama/Fiction award at the 2010 European Video and Mobile TV Forum in Paris. ATHLETES IN MOTION can also be viewed on demand at www.CTVOlympics.ca, accompanied by bonus elements including bios, photos, and daily captioned snapshots inspired by winter sports and the Olympic Games, sent in by commentators from across Canada.
“Bravo!FACT is delighted to see some of Canada’s finest athletes starring in beautiful shorts,” said Judy Gladstone, Executive Director of Bravo!FACT. “While the marriage may seem unconventional, the filmmakers and artists selected to work on this project showcase these athletes in a brand new way.”
ATHLETES IN MOTION includes commentary and introductions by both filmmakers and athletes, as cameras go behind-the-scenes to capture athletes and artists collaborating in action. ATHLETES IN MOTION features the following short films:
o BRING IT HOME: Directed by Michael Maxxis; featuring biathletes and 2010 Olympians Rosanna Crawford (Canmore, AB) and Megan Imrie (Falcon Lake, MB).
o HOCKEY T’NITE: Directed by Mark Adam; featuring Wayne Gretzky (Brantford, ON) and The Nepean Raiders (Nepean, ON)
o HARDCORE BONSPIEL: Directed by John Kerr and written by Douglas Coupland; featuring Canadian and World curling champion Jennifer Jones (Winnipeg, MB)
o SIT ON IT: Directed by Murray Siple; featuring Paralympic sit-skier Josh Dueck (Vernon, BC)
o JUST BEAT IT: Directed by Jason Priestley; featuring World Championship silver medallist and Olympic alpine skier Jan Hudec (Calgary, AB)
o FIGHT FOR FLIGHT: Co-directed by Nicole Mion and Cam Christiansen (animator); featuring ski jumper Katie Willis (Calgary, AB)
o IN THE GROOVE: Directed by Clarence Ford; featuring four-time World and Canadian National Champion figure skater and choreographer Kurt Browning (Caroline, AB)
o LET YOURSELF SLIDE: Directed by Clarence Ford; featuring skeleton racer Sarah Reid (Calgary, AB)
o STAND TALL, WATCH THE JUMP: Directed by Srinivas Krishna; World Championship bronze medallist and Olympic aerialist Warren Shouldice (Calgary, AB)
o FIGURES: Directed by Miryam Bouchard; featuring Olympic silver medallist Elizabeth Manley (Ottawa, ON)
o SLIDE SHOW: Directed by Clarence Ford; featuring Olympians Heather Moyse (bobsleigh, Summerside, PEI), Regan Lauscher (luge, Red Deer, AB), and Michelle Kelly (skeleton, Fort St. John, BC)
Musical artists contributing scores/soundtracks include Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash, Deadmau5, and JUNO award-winning bass guitarist/music producer Orin Isaacs. Additionally, one of the shorts features CTV’s “The Hockey Theme” while another features fashions from Canadian designer Paul Hardy.
For full film synopses of ATHLETES IN MOTION and to download hi-res photos, visit www.ctvmedia.ca/bravo.
ATHLETES IN MOTION is produced by Divani Films and Crowsnest Films in association with Bravo!FACT and CTV Inc.. Producers are John Kerr and Srinivas Krishna.
