Coming to PBS and VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9 and already released on DVD: AGE OF CHAMPIONS
Christopher Rufo’s portrait of senior citizen athletes had its world premiere at Silverdocs in 2011. It went on to screen at Austin, San Diego, Fargo, and Documentary Edge, among other fests, as well as several community screenings and conferences on aging. Its digital release includes iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, and more.
A diverse assemblage of athletes from around the US gather every two years to compete in the Senior Games, demonstrating the benefits of active aging. Rufo follows a number of appealing competitors, from centenarian tennis champ Roger to African American swimming brothers John and Bradford, who remember the days when there were no integrated pools in their hometown of Washington DC. These seniors take their sports seriously – witness Louisiana’s five-time women’s basketball gold medalists the Tigerettes, Southern belles with a reputation for aggressive play – making this no cutesy pandering old folk doc. While viewers might not ever completely forget that they’re watching senior citizens, Rufa’s light but enjoyable film is never reductive, presenting instead rounded, and inspiring, portraits of active individuals who thrive on sport and camaraderie with their peers.
