A documentary on an event that bought a nation together – the Women’s 400 metres final at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. World champion Cathy Freeman carried Australia’s hopes – along with all the expectations. But as an indigenous woman, there were added pressures.
Sadly, co-directors Laurence Billiett and Stephen Page (artistic director of Bangarra Dance Company) fail to deliver anything more than a superficial exploration of the race and the years leading up to it. Little is explored of the struggles and racism faced by Freeman, the years leading up to the ‘big moment’, the massive ‘sorry’ demonstrations regarding the recognition of the Stolen Generation or the competitiveness between her and arch rival, the French reigning Olympic champion, Marie-José Pérec. All are merely touched upon – it’s the race that counts. And then the 49.11 seconds of the race are broken up, interspersed with the fluid and sensual movements of a Bangarra dancer. Zut alors. Sacrilege. Why? Up until then, the occasional glimpses of the dancer Lillian Banks to represent movement and spirit as Freeman herself talks of moments had been a nice touch.
Most know the story and the lead up – and Freeman is a documentary made for those ‘most’.
Rating: 50%
Director: Laurence Billiett, Stephen Page (The Turning, Spear)
An Opinion or Two 