Durban-born film producer Anant Singh. Picture: Supplied
A century after the 1924 Olympic Games were held in Paris, two Olympic-themed documentary feature films have been produced by South African film producer, Anant Singh.
The films, Pierre De Coubertin: An Olympic Life and Paris 1924: An Olympic Epic coincide with the 100th anniversary of the return of the Olympic Games to Paris. The films would be premiered three days before the Games’ opening in Paris. They will premier at SuperSport in Randburg on July 22, and on the Canal+ platforms on July 23.
The Durban-born producer said both the films have been acquired for broadcast by DSTV’s SuperSport in South Africa and Canal+ for their Planete+ and myCanal platforms in French territories.
Talking about the Pierre De Coubertin: An Olympic Life, Singh said it is based on the life of Pierre de Courbertin who resurrected the ancient Olympic Games in 1896 and who is widely acknowledged as the founder of the Modern Olympics. He was president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) until the end of the Paris 1924 Olympic Games.
The film is written and directed by award-winning Ady Walter, produced by Singh and Myriam Weil, and edited by Amal Doghmi.
“Pierre De Coubertin is our tribute to the visionary founder of the modern Olympic Games. It has a special resonance this year as it celebrates the 130th anniversary of Coubertin’s formation of the IOC and a century since he stepped down as its president,” said Singh.
He said Paris 1924: An Olympic Epic celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Games which will return to Paris this year. He said the film which has been remastered captures a pivotal moment in the post-World War I era - a historic celebration of peace, unity, and the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games.
“This film is particularly relevant today as it gives audiences a glimpse of the Games held in Paris a century ago and marks the 100th anniversary of the Games returning to the French capital,” he explained.
The VIII Olympiad showcased the grandeur of the opening ceremony and looked at the challenges faced in organising the event.
“The beautifully shot footage (bearing in mind that it was 100 years ago) vividly captures the electrifying atmosphere of the Games, and the athletes and provides insights into the meticulous preparations,” he said.
Singh said the 1924 Games were the first-ever to be shot on film, and the original film was digitised, restored, and re-edited with a modern audience in mind. The film was written and directed by Amal Doghmi.
Ambassador of France to South Africa, David Martinon said, the films were great examples of a successful partnership between South African and French companies.
“Baron de Coubertin is a national treasure in France and reliving the excitement of the Games in Paris one hundred years ago is truly special. We greatly admire the work of Anant Singh and we are delighted that he has brought to the fore the critically important French connection to the Olympic Games,” said Martinon.
Sunday Tribune
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