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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

701524-thumbnail

A Cop Movie (2021)

This documentary walks the line between fact and fiction, delving into corruption in the Mexican police through the experiences of two officers.

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.

864738-thumbnail

ČSR-Maďarsko v handbalu (1953)

915929-thumbnail

(Im)mortals (2022)

What happens after death? Lila Ribi's 100-year-old grandmother Greti always has the same answer: There is nothing after death. The filmmaker sees things differently.

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.

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".

1507699-thumbnail

Countdown: Taylor vs. Serrano (2025)

Two elite boxers, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, prepare for their epic trilogy finale, a live-streamed match on Netflix July 11. Uma Thurman narrates their rigorous training journey.

742188-thumbnail

Of Ice and Fame (2018)

This film presents a unique behind-the-scenes look into the lives and training of two of the world’s top figure skaters, Evgenia Medvedeva and Alina Zagitova. In the spotlight, they soar and spin through the air while beaming radiant smiles. But their real lives include more discipline, devastating falls, and harsh criticism than perfect landings and effusive praise.

127505-thumbnail

Head Games (2012)

Former football player and wrestler Chris Nowinski's quest to publicize recent findings about the often dire consequences of head concussions sustained by athletes in contact sports — injuries that have previously been considered momentary setbacks and ignored in the name of toughness and dedication to the team.

1151653-thumbnail

The Pigeon People (2023)

Directed by Patrick Gramm, 'The Pigeon People' (2023) takes you deep into Arizona's underground pigeon racing scene as racing rivals prepare for and compete in the Grand Canyon Classic - a 350-mile pigeon race from Utah to Arizona that crosses over the Grand Canyon.

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!

1194800-thumbnail

Sityodtong Training Camp (2023)

Learn the art of Muaythai at one of the best training camps in Thailand. From the traditional Grandmaster Sityodtong, to the present Onechampionship Founder Chatri Sityodtong; to the ever next surviving prodigy kru toy and his assistant yodbandit sityodtong; to the formidable Austmon Sityodtong.

778665-thumbnail

The Witches of the Orient (2021)

The Japanese volleyball players called the “Oriental Witches” are now in their 70s. From the formation of the team at the factory until their victory at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, memories and legends rise to the surface and blend inextricably.

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.