Trailer For Ethiopian Sports Drama “Atletu”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences yesterday, issued a press release listing all of their Best Foreign Language film submissions, from at least 65 countries.
Here’s the trailer for one of them which was uploaded today – an Ethiopian film covered on S&A last year, Atletu (Athlete), described as: “unique and elegant hybrid of autobiography, biopic and documentary tells the inspiring story of the great Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who in 1960 became the first African athlete to win gold at the Olympics – a new world record, and barefoot at that. Then four years later in Tokyo, he did it all again… this time wearing shoes. And at age 32, Abebe Bikila became the first man to win consecutive marathons at the Olympics. Bikila’s story took a shocking turn after these triumphs, yet nothing could keep him from pursuing his dreams all the way to the finish line; inspiring generations of Africans and others beyond.”
Co-written and co-directed by Davey Frankel and Rasselas Lakew, Atletu had its world premier at the 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival, and has played the festival circuit since then. I’m not aware of any proper theatrical or DVD release. And, we don’t really know if it’ll ever seen either in the USA. But maybe any attention it receives from the Academy will be of some influence.
