Skip to main content

Deep Dive: The Fall (2016)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

The Fall
The Fall tells the story of two female athletes preparing for the women's 3,000 metres at the 1984 LA Olympics. It contrasts the backgrounds of a South African barefoot runner from rural areas under apartheid and an American track-and-field prodigy from Southern California. The film examines the personal and political dimensions surrounding their competition, revealing how their lives intersect against the backdrop of a divided world. The narrative includes themes of betrayal and exploitation, illustrating the complex relationship between politics, media, and sport. As the athletes strive for Olympic glory, the film captures the dedication and sacrifice required to compete at such a high level, while also reflecting the broader political tensions of the time that affected nations and governments.

Why Watch

  • •Meet a South African runner defying apartheid in 1984.
  • •Follow the rivalry between two elite female athletes.
  • •See how politics influenced the Olympic Games.

Did You Know

•The documentary focuses on the 1984 LA Olympics, a significant event in sports history.
•One athlete is a barefoot runner from rural South Africa under apartheid.
•The film has a runtime of 90 minutes and was directed by Daniel Gordon.
•The story involves themes of betrayal and exploitation in sports.

Perfect For

Olympic history enthusiastsFemale athlete storiesApartheid studies