The Optimists (2013)

2013-08-221h 32m

A documentary about an unusual volleyball team in Hamar, Norway, with ladies aged from 66 to 98. Now they are up for their first match, after 30 years of training.

Related Movies

9751-thumbnail

Dance for All (2007)

8345-thumbnail

Es geht um Alles (2008)

5205-thumbnail

Pumping Iron (1977)

Amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests as five-time champion Arnold Schwarzenegger defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young Lou Ferrigno.

278586-thumbnail

Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed (2008)

An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights early in his career, the pride of African-Americans in his prowess, the shift of White sentiment toward Louis as Hitler came to power, Louis's patriotism during World War II, and the hounding of Louis by the IRS for the following 15 years. In his last years, he's a casino greeter, a drug user, and the occasional object of scorn for young Turks like Muhammad Ali. Appreciative comment comes from boxing scholars, Louis's son Joe Jr., friends, and icons like Maya Angelou, Dick Gregory, and Bill Cosby.

1191126-thumbnail

A Boy Goes Cycling (1963)

Pedal power saves a dad's day in this colourful cycling safety film set in a sunny 60s South East London.

648904-thumbnail

Rise of the Wahine (2014)

In the years following the Civil Rights movement and the passage of Title IX in 1972, Dr. Donnis Thompson (a headstrong African-American female coach), Patsy Mink (the first Asian-American U.S. congresswoman), and Beth McLachlin (the team captain of a rag-tag female volleyball team), battled discrimination from the halls of Washington D.C. to the dusty volleyball courts of the University of Hawaii, fighting for the rights of young women to play sports.

67273-thumbnail

Buck (2011)

An examination of the life of acclaimed 'horse whisperer' Buck Brannaman, who recovered from years of child abuse to become a well-known expert in the interactions between horses and people.

1432781-thumbnail

Lifesaving and Water Safety: Snorkeling Skills and Rescue Techniques (1972)

The film provides a comprehensive guide on snorkeling skills and rescue techniques, emphasizing the importance of proper equipment such as masks, snorkels, and fins. It discusses how to choose the right mask for comfort and fit, the proper use of snorkels, and techniques for clearing water from both masks and snorkels. The film also covers essential skills for entering the water safely, practicing buddy systems during snorkeling, and techniques for locating and rescuing submerged victims. It highlights the need for training and emphasizes that while these skills are crucial for rescue, they do not replace the need for a full certified course in skin diving.

1430248-thumbnail

Chlorine and the Firefighter (1974)

This 1974 film is dedicated by the Chlorine Institute to the public interest. It is specifically intended to assist firefighters and other emergency services. The techniques demonstrated are appropriate for emergency use; different circumstances might require modified or additional procedure. The information is drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The Institute, its members any organizations cooperating in the development of this film, jointly or severally, cannot be responsible for how the information is used and must make this legal disclaimer. This is a 1960s era, color movie about Chlorine and emergency workers… specifically, firefighters. The film is intended to show firefighters what chlorine is, what a chlorine emergency might involve, how a company can plan ahead and how an emergency can be handled safely.

684687-thumbnail

The Iron Hammer (2020)

In this personal and rousing documentary, Joan Chen charts the inspiring life and career of “Jenny” Lang Ping, a fearless and independent Olympic athlete who propels China to international prominence in volleyball. On the court, her most effective weapon is her lethal spike, hence her titular nickname, while her leadership skills and calm demeanor solidify her unique status as the first player and coach to win multiple World Championships and Olympic gold. Chen, in her documentary feature debut, skillfully combines thrilling excerpts from championship games, intimate conversations with Lang Ping, her colleagues, and players to craft an entertaining and multi-dimensional portrait of this groundbreaking athlete who transformed women’s volleyball.

50062-thumbnail

The Ground Truth (2006)

Sometimes the greatest act of courage is to tell the truth. Hear and witness our soldiers in this penetrating film. The shocking Iraq War ground conflict is only a prelude to the even more challenging battles these reluctant heroes face upon their return home.

312291-thumbnail

High Risk Entry (2003)

Noted tactical combat instructor Chuck Habermehl uses live-fire demonstrations to simulate real-life rescue situations, teaching emergency response units and other teams who must enter high-risk buildings how to get the job done safely and quickly. Habermehl explains how to clear barricades and hallways, how to enter hot zones while wearing gas masks and other cumbersome equipment, and many more lifesaving maneuvers.

491080-thumbnail

Over the Limit (2018)

Margarita Mamun, an elite Russian rhythmic gymnast, is struggling to become an Olympic champion. It is the most important year of her career and her last chance to achieve the ultimate goal, the gold Olympic medal. The film creates a captivating portrait of a young woman who is desperately trying to handle her own ambitions and meet the expectations of the official Russian training system.

385114-thumbnail

Beauties of the Night (2016)

What happened to those vedettes who represented the mexican cabaret’s exotic beauty in the ‘70s and ‘80s? Four decades after the end of their roles, they tell their stories with dignity.

535116-thumbnail

Leisa Hart's FitMama: Postnatal Workout (2003)

Regain and improve your pre-pregnancy physique • Build strength to carry your new bundle of joy. Busy moms will love these 5 and 10 minute time saving segments. Leisa Hart along with other moms, offers intensity variations so that you can start out light and work your way up to a challenge when you’re ready. This innovative method helped Leisa get back in top shape after both her pregnancies. FitMama Postnatal Workout follows the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. "I’ll help you shed that baby fat and regain your pre-pregnancy physique!" - Leisa Hart

353942-thumbnail

Koga - A New Wind (2011)

Few fighters can claim to have changed the face of their sport. Toshihiko Koga is one. The three-times World and Olympic champion invented his own incredible style of judo. Now, learn from Koga himself as he reveals the secrets to his success!

359371-thumbnail

Run Free: The True Story of Caballo Blanco (2015)

American ultra running legend Micah True (Caballo Blanco, or the White Horse) lived and ran with the Tarahumara Indians in Northern Mexico. The Tarahumara (also known as the Rarámuri or the Running People) are some of the best long distance runners in the world. This award-winning feature-length documentary chronicles Micah's quest to promote and preserve Tarahumara running tradition by creating a 50-mile foot race known as the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, which was portrayed in Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book "Born to Run – A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen".

1468310-thumbnail

Caribou (2023)

354739-thumbnail

Finding Traction (2014)

"Finding Traction" presents the inspirational story of ultra runner Nikki Kimball and her quest to become the fastest person in history to run America's oldest hiking trail, the 273-mile Long Trail. The documentary asks what drives her to attempt such an incredible feat, and follows Nikki's journey from its beginning - training and racing in the Rocky mountains - to her actual record attempt through Vermont's beautiful but brutal Green Mountains.

344974-thumbnail

One (1966)

Collected as part of the Fluxfilm Anthology (a multi-reel compendium of 37 short films assembled by Fluxus founder and central operator George Maciunas), One captures the lifespan of a single match recorded at 2,000 frames per second using a 16mm high-speed camera. The frame rate is then decelerated to the standard 24fps for presentation. The film emphasizes each gesture, sway and flare of flame as the small pinewood carrier ignites across the landscape of the filmstrip and screen, signalling the drama and poetics of this ”minor” event before the fire is extinguished. One also stands as an unassuming beacon, immortalizing on film the essence of some of Ono’s early concerns as an artist. At the slightest touch of fire, they burst into flame. Strike everywhere. Strike often.