Filmmaker Ravit Markus makes somewhat serious documentaries, but it may surprise people to know that she loves romantic comedies. Markus is the creator and director of the documentary “Nina is an Athlete,” premiering on Jan. 19 at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival in Utah.
The documentary highlights badminton athlete Nina Gorodetsky, who uses a wheelchair, and her three-year journey to pursue her dream of getting a chance to make it to the Paralympics, while she also attempts to become a mother again.
Markus said her parents were the greatest influences on her film-making career, after trying all other arts and not feeling fulfilled in any of them. “My mother would take me to the cinematheque to watch European classics by Bergman and Fellini as well as classic Hollywood screwball comedies; and my dad showed me classic westerns,” she said.
She added that the initial plan for this documentary was to spotlight a successful wheelchair badminton athlete who was trying to qualify for the Paralympics.
“However, as I got to know Nina Gorodetsky and her circle, I realized the bigger story was her choices. What would she be willing to sacrifice in order to fulfill that dream at the critical juncture she was at? Working with her, her family and her coach was a pleasure but also a challenge,” she added, due to Gorodetsky being busy training often.
Thanks to co-director Livi Kessel, when Nina was available, she and everyone around her were able to be completely natural in front of the camera.
Markus was elated to be back at the Slamdance Film Festival premiering this film, and she said it was amazing for a few reasons. “I know it first hand because my last documentary, ‘American Pot Story: Oaksterdam,’ premiered there last year and won the Audience Award and that was the beginning of an incredible journey for that film,” she continued.
Slamdance is also deeply committed to accessibility and has a unique program dedicated to disability called Unstoppable . Markus said they also uplift women and as a female director telling a very feminine story, she is grateful that they see the value in such stories.
The disability community has been severely underrepresented in the media, and Markus hopes they will see some of their life experiences reflected in Nina, and that they will resonate with her journey.
“With the media being such a powerful force in how we all see ourselves, seeing a strong disabled woman on the screen will hopefully empower others to roam this world with the same confidence that she exudes. Nina approaches the world and herself with brutal honesty and I think it encourages all viewers to re-examine their assumptions about disability.”
Markus believes the message of the film is that disabled people should be represented authentically in film, and they should be seen as human. “These stories need to be told, can be told, and should be told, and they definitely have an audience,” she stated.
Learn more about Slamdance’s Unstoppable program here: https://slamdance.com/unstoppable/.
Purchase tickets to the world premiere of Nina is an Athlete, at the Slamdance Film Festival, here: https://slamdance2024.eventive.org/films/6570bb3a7f0806007d2847a2.
