Distant Horizon Unveils Doc Celebrating Founder Of Modern Olympics Pierre De Coubertin Ahead Of Cannes Market Launch

EXCLUSIVE: With just over two months to go before the kick-off of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris this July, South Africa’s Distant Horizon will be touching down in Cannes with two documentaries celebrating France’s historic links with the games.

The films Pierre de Coubertin: An Olympic Life and Paris 1924 are both in the final stages of post-production.

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Pierre de Coubertin: An Olympic Life follows the life of the French educator and historian who resurrected the ancient Olympic Games in 1896 and 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 told through the eyes of Lauren Rembi, the Olympic Fencing Champion who is likely to participate in Paris 2024.

Distant Horizon says the film will shed light on the story of de Courbertin which is relatively unknown around the world, even if his vision and commitment resulted in the enduring legacy of one of the most popular global sporting events in the world and best-known sports brand.

A collaboration between Distant Horizon and Federation Studios, Pierre de Coubertin: An Olympic Life is written and directed by award-winning director Ady Walter known for Shttl and TV show La France en vrai. It is edited by Amal Doghmi and produced by Myriam Weil and Distant Horizon President Anant Singh.

The second documentary Paris 1924 celebrates the 100th anniversary of the second time the Olympic Games unfolded in Paris.

They were the first games to be filmed. Distant Horizon has remastered and recut the original film which vividly captures the electrifying atmosphere of the games, the athletes and provides insights into the meticulous preparations.

The original film had been digitized, restored and re-edited with a modern audience in mind.  It is written and directed by Doghmi and produced by Singh.

“It is really special to be introducing these timely stories in Cannes in the run up to the Olympic Games in Paris,” said Singh.

“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 130^th anniversary of Coubertin’s formation of the IOC and a century since he stepped down as its President.  We are delighted to have partnered with Federation.”

South African-based film producer Singh has produced more than 100 films, including the Academy Award nominated films Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Yesterday and Sarafina!.

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