Autumn Gold

Countless major sporting events, from the World Cup to Wimbledon, Formula One, the Iron Man and the Olympics, are presented to an audience of millions both in stadiums, at race tracks and on television. But there is one competition in which many athletes take part, but which is probably completely unknown to most: the World Championships for Seniors.

Jan Tenhaven accompanies five spry male and female athletes from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Sweden in their preparations for the competition and during the World Championships in his entertaining documentary "Herbstgold". There is, for example, the 99-year-old artist Alfred, who still passionately draws his nude models, talks about his younger lover and has a new knee made so that he can still take part in the competition as a discus thrower. Or Jiři, an 82-year-old high jumper from the Czech Republic, who would drive his wife mad if he could no longer pursue his sporting passion. There is 85-year-old Ilse from Kiel, who has to fear that she will not be able to win the gold medal as a shot-putter again this year, because the competition in her age group is simply too strong. Or Herbert Liedtke, 92 years old, from Stockholm, who desperately wants to reach the mark of 1.72 in the high jump and is giving it his all.

They have one year to prepare for the World Championships. A year full of ups and downs, in which they repeatedly recall the most important stages of their lives, reflect on losses and death, but also always find joy in life and strength to face the challenges of the World Championships in Lathi, Finland.

"Autumn Gold" is a very simple, restrained documentary, but that is exactly why it can convince. No overblown emotions are fought for here, but genuine respect for the protagonists and their achievements is built up. Sometimes amusing, sometimes sad, then again dramatic, that's how this portrait of the aged athletes presents itself. If the film manages one thing, besides its high entertainment value, it is to spread the knowledge that life is not automatically over when you reach retirement age. Much like the wonderful "Young@Heart", "Autumn Gold" ends up being, despite its dramatic aspects, a genuine feel-good documentary that, much like the World Senior Championships, deserves greater attention. And that is exactly why this documentary is absolutely worth watching, despite some lengths!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp