The Sundance Film Festival has announced that a Warren Miller documentary, “The Movement”, will be one of 64 entries in this year’s Short Film Competition. This film focuses on five disabled athletes that have regained their sense of freedom through skiing. It is designed to increase awareness, participation, and opportunity in adaptive sports across the country.
Holiday Valley and the Lousbury Adaptive Ski program will showcase this documentary in the Tamarack Club on Saturday February 4th at 7 pm.
The film, which is narrated by Robert Redford and Warren Miller, tells the story of five individuals from all walks of life whom faced incredible obstacles, found the inspiration to overcome them and became real everyday heroes. Through skiing, each has ultimately
discovered or rediscovered the freedom of movement.
“The Movement” features interviews with Rick Finklestein, a Hollywood executive, paralyzed from the waist down after a skiing accident. In 2004 Rick Finkelstein was paralyzed in a ski accident on Aspen Mountain. With a severed spine and severe internal trauma, he wasn’t expected to live. Six years and nine surgeries later, cameras captured his dramatic return to Aspen. This is a story about the turning point when physical disability is no longer a limitation but a part of your character.
This promises to be a truly inspiring and fascinating film with a local flair: Holiday Valley Ski Patrol official Bill Marx’s daughter (who is a former Holiday Valley Adaptive Instructor and is currently a Level 3 Alpine Adaptive Instructor in Aspen), Nicole Marx is an instructor in the film.
In parallel with the film, Warren Miller created “MakeAHero.org” to increase recognition and funding for local adaptive-sports groups. A lifelong skier, wordsmith, and movie buff, co-director Greg Hamilton says his passions converged for The Movement. Gathering characters’ perspectives, filming their talents, and crafting a story, Hamilton was swept up in the film’s momentum.
There is no charge for the film, but donations will gratefully be accepted at the door. Refreshments will be available for purchase at John Harvards.
