autumn gold

Autumn Gold

(Herbstgold)

Year 2009
Runtime 94 mins
Language German, Czech, Swedish, Italian
Subtitles English

AUTUMN GOLD tells the life-affirming story of five athletes in their preparation for the Track and Field World Championships. Their toughest challenge is their age: these potential world champions are between 80 and 100.

With ambition and a good portion of humor, they accept the task. On the finishing line of their lives, they seek their ultimate challenge for yet another time and give their best on the way to a gold medal in Finland. True to the motto: "We can still rest after death."

Alfred the 100 year old discus thrower from Vienna and passionate nude painter has an artificial knee implanted just six months prior to the finals in Finland. He wants to keep going "somehow" and feels to young to sit in a rocking chair. Will he be up for it when the competition starts?

Jiri the 82 year old high jumper from Czech Republic trains his stamina in the staircase of his apartment building. The former horse breeder dreams of making the one meter mark for one last time in his life. His wife massages the crooked back and asks him to take it easy: "Be careful, you don't have to be a hero anymore!"

Ilse the 82 year old shot putter from the German town of Kiel excels to new heights since her husband died and she moved to a new city; Herbert (93) from Stockholm races against his loneliness and misses the sexual component in his life as a widower; while Gabre from Italy announces with pretended outrage that she won't let anyone know her age - just before a fellow sportswoman reveals it to the camera.

It is a competition against age and other hurdles of life. They want to stand on the podium for one last time. Who will make it to Finland? Who will retire in dignity? Who will fight to the bitter end? A story of winning and losing, of setbacks and triumphs. AUTUMN GOLD is a homage to life how it can be: not smooth and wrinkle-free but full of humor and determination.

Countries

Germany
Awards
Hyves IDFA DOC U Award, Hot Docs Filmmaker Award, Hot Docs Top Ten Audience Favourite
Festivals
IDFA, Hot Docs
Director
Jan Tenhaven
Executive Producer
Christian Beetz
Screenwriter
Jan Tenhaven
Cinematographer
Marcus Winterbauer
Editor
Jürgen Winkelblech
Music
Andy Baum