We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which Cowra Civic Centre is built, the Wiradjuri – the original storytellers, musicians, dancers, artists and culture makers of this region. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.
Using real-life gymnasts to land his debut on solid ground, director Elie Grappe presents a compelling psychological portrait of a dedicated young athlete on the cusp of great success. Olga, which played at Critics Week in Cannes, packs in too much plot - the film would have vaulted home with far less. But there’s a grounded authenticity in this hermetically-sealed world of elite sports which should see the arresting Olga travel through festivals, making a name for its director and co-writer on the way. Perfectly timed with this year’s Olympics and the well-documented mental issues affecting the gymnasts there, Olga could catch itself on the bars of the zeitgeist and make a bid for theatrical exposure.
Grappe’s film doesn’t feel a world away from last year’s Cannes Label title Slalom, although the threat to the lonely female athlete here - 15 year-old tough-as-nails Ukrainian gymnast Olga (Anastasia Budiashkina) - isn’t a sexual predator. Instead it’s her very identity: who is Olga, and what will she lose in order to take her shot at success? She’s so absurdly dedicated, and so breathtakingly talented, her teammates call her a robot. But she drives herself too hard, and there’s a breaking point.
Cowra Civic Centre, 104 Darling Street, Cowra, 2794, View Map
104 Darling Street , Cowra 2794
Friday 14 October at 7pm
Box Office Hours
Online 24/7 Phone & Counter Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm Phone 02 6340 2130
Classification CTC Duration 86 mins Tickets $14 (Transaction charges may apply)
Presented by the Cowra Civic Centre as a part of Ukrainian Film Festival