NINA IS AN ATHLETE at Slamdance

by Lauren Atkins

Nina is an Athlete takes us on the moving journey of Russian immigrant Nina Gorodsetsky, who overcame insurmountable odds to become a wheelchair badminton champion, representing Israel on the world stage.

Filmed over the course of four years, (before during and after the pandemic) and on a shoestring budget, the viewer gets the sense that this beautiful documentary is as scrappy and determined as the subject herself. Nina Gorodsetsky is honest and immediately likable, and holds nothing back about her disability, her sport, and marriage to someone who is not wheelchair bound.

Writer/Producer/ Director Ravit Markus along with Co-Director, Co-Producer & Videographer Livi Kessel, captures all aspects of Nina’s life; guilt at leaving her family for tournaments, her desire for another baby, and uncomfortable conversations with her coaching staff about how her life would be “better” if she had the use of her legs.

Combined with a beautiful score by composer Thomas Yount, Nina is an Athlete is a documentary that tugs at the heart strings as much as it informs. In fact, it’s amazing how much we learn in such a short amount of time. Editor Nir Guilat gives us a masterclass on how it’s done.

With its World Premiere at Slamdance, we’re saying a little prayer that Nina is an Athlete eventually receives worldwide distribution so that more people can watch this film and be inspired by it.

Originally published at http://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on January 21, 2024.