MovieTime

Review

by Jason Di Rosso

A documentary about one of the most iconic political images of last century—the black power salutes given by two American athletes at the 1968 Mexico Olympics—and the white man, Australian silver medallist Peter Norman, who stood on the podium wearing a human rights badge in solidarity. Directed by Norman's nephew Matt, the film puts the gesture in historical context—looking at the US civil rights struggle, Australia's burgeoning Aboriginal movement and Mexico's bloody repression of dissidents that was covered up for the Olympics. Norman's personal story reveals an upbringing of strong Christian beliefs and Salvation Army parents. He paid a heavy price for acting according to his conscience—he would never run in an Olympics again. This isn't brilliant cinema, the video interviews are of varying quality but it's most timely in the lead-up to Beijing.

Director: Matt Norman
Cast: Documentary featuring Peter Norman, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Paul Hoffman, Bob Steiner, Cleve Livingston - narrated by Christopher Kirby
Producer: Matt Norman, David Redman
Script: Matt Norman
Cinematographer: Martin Smith
Editor: John Leonard, Jane Moran
Music: David Hirschfelder
Running time: 90
Australian distributor: Paramount
Language: English
Classification: PG