This documentary - about how black athletes sought to gain better recognition of their contribution to American sport in the 1960s, culminating in 200m medal winners Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving the Black Power Salute at the 1968 Olympic games (pictured) - has picked up strong critical acclaim. Described as "top class", "hard to fault" and "a pleasure to watch", it's clearly a must-see.
The following preview is courtesy of BBC:
Black Power Salute is a documentary about one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, the moment in which the radical spirit of the 1960s upstaged the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, one of the greatest sporting events in history.
The 1968 games saw many world records set that would go unsurpassed for decades. However, it was the protest of Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their gloved fists to represent black power that dominated the front pages of newspapers world-wide.
The salute was a carefully considered decision, the culmination of a long campaign from black athletes, to gain better recognition of their contribution to American sport. Yet the protest had instant ramifications. Smith and Carlos were suspended with the threat that the US Olympic team would be banned from competing. Carlos and Smith left the Olympic village, heroes to many, villains to others who felt they had "disrespected" America in the eyes of the world.
This film discovers what stirred these men to action and how the Black Power Salute shaped their future.
Unfortunately like all others this film will be filled with what people think happened and not what actually happened. To get the real story (these producers took from me) then check out www.salutethemovie.com which is out in Cinema's 17th July 2008.
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