A century after the Olympic Games 1924 was 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.
Singh announced that both films have been acquired for broadcast by DSTV’s SuperSport in South Africa and by Canal+ for their Planete+ and myCanal platforms in French territories. The films will premiere at SuperSport in Randburg on 22 July, and on the Canal+ platforms on 23 July, three days before the opening of the Games in Paris.
PIERRE DE COUBERTIN: AN OLYMPIC LIFE is based on the life of Pierre de Coubertin 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 Anant Singh and Myriam Weil and edited by Amal Doghmi.
PARIS 1924: AN OLYMPIC EPIC celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Games which returns to Paris this year. 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. The VIII Olympiad showcased the grandeur of the Opening Ceremony and looks at the challenges faced in organizing the event. The beautifully shot footage (bearing in mind that it was 100 years ago) vividly captures the electrifying atmosphere of the Games, the athletes and provides insights into the meticulous preparations.
The 1924 Games was the first-ever to be shot on film, and the original film was digitized and restored, and re-edited with a modern audience in mind. PARIS 1924: AN OLYMPIC EPIC is written and directed by Amal Doghmi and produced by Anant Singh.
Commenting on the films, Anant Singh said, “we are thrilled to have concluded broadcast arrangements for these timely films in the run up to the Olympic Games in Paris. PIERRE DE COUBERTIN: AN OLYMPIC LIFE 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.
PARIS 1924: AN OLYMPIC EPIC 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. We are delighted to have partnered with Federation on the production of PIERRE DE COUBERTIN: AN OLYMPIC LIFE and to have Canal+ and SuperSport as broadcast partners for the films.”
Ambassador of France to South Africa, Mr David Martinon commented, “PIERRE DE COUBERTIN: AN OLYMPIC LIFE and PARIS 1924: AN OLYMPIC EPIC are 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 have great admiration for 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.”
