It’s not just about one person in a race.
It’s about all of us.
Those were just two of the two quotes from Cathy Freeman that stood out at the premiere of the documentary That Race, a film about the famous Stawell Gift 1996 women’s 400m where Freeman won the event, remarkably from scratch.
Freeman is a national treasure, and part of her appeal is her humbleness and way she always thinks so positive of others, and that shines through in this documentary.
The film tells the story of how Freeman won the race, and the recollections of other women who were part of it – Shanie Singleton, Tara Glesson, Jackie Chehade, Emma Yeomans, Kim McDonough and Debra Tomse.
The central theme of the documentary sees the seven women come together for the first time 30 years later, meeting at the home of athletics in Melbourne, Lakeside Stadium.
It’s beautifully made documentary by Fixon Media Group, with young director Didier Le Miere perfectly capturing what was sometimes a dramatic race, in an era and time when Cathy Freeman was already a national superstar.
In the race Jackie Chehade, who was then known as Jackie Lewis, famously elbowed Freeman as she attempted to run down the other women.
That moment was handled perfectly in the film, with Freeman acknowledging it shocked her, but all these years later all is forgiven and forgotten and the two now share a laugh about it.
A real positive was also how the film set the scene for the four years after Stawell for Freeman, and we all know that amazing ending.
It’s given weight by the recollections of long time Herald Sun sport reporter Jon Anderson, and also World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe.
Coe speaks so fondly of Freeman and everything she did, it just shows you how not only in Australia is she a legend of athletics, but around the world.
The documentary reminded me a bit like that famous baseball film A League of Their Own starring Madonna and Gina Davis.
Instead, it was about the iconic Stawell Gift and a women’s 400m race, and it all actually happened.
Freeman and five of the women attended the premiere of the film last weekend at Melbourne’s Astor Theatre.
They were part of a Q&A with the executive producer of the film David Griffin.
After watching the film they were all very emotional and delighted with the how their stories were told.
It’s a very well made film, and documents what was a real moment in Australian sport, 30 years ago.
