What is GOLD?

GOLD is a documentary film for which filming has begun in july 2011 and which is to premiere in the spring of 2013.

That’s still a long time to go. So why are we talking about it today?

Because GOLD is more than just a film. GOLD is a project, at the heart of which a documentary is being produced. There is a great deal to be said, to be learnt and experienced in the context of this project. That’s why we are already getting started now. With a broad communication campaign for one thing, made possible by partners in the field of marketing and media.

Why are we doing this?

Without this support, GOLD would be one of the many documentaries that either don’t make it into the movie theatres at all, or that perish at the box office because they are not well-known enough.

Once again, though: GOLD is more than just a film. It is also a message, which defines how this topic is different and why it is relevant. The message: YOU CAN DO MORE THAN YOU THINK.

What does this mean?

Sport, or physical fitness, is a key prerequisite for empowerment and a self-determined life. Such autonomy, in turn, determines quality of life – and thus also zest for life.

For most of us, this is something we seem to take for granted. But if we are deprived of it, the significance changes fundamentally.

What is self-determination?
How do I look upon my life?
And what am I doing with it?

The project GOLD is about these questions, and how they are interconnected.

What exactly is it about?

GOLD tells the story of three outstanding paralympic athletes: inspiring people who have steered their lives from tragedy to triumph:

Kirsten Bruhn, Kurt Fearnley and Henry Wanyoike

The aim of the film is to give viewers a glimpse of a world which, in the worst case, they are afraid of, and their curiosity about which they normally suppress because they have been taught to feel awkward about it. By touching viewers emotionally, these supposed fears are overcome. We meet people who impress us by demonstrating through their lives just what can be achieved.

That is what makes GOLD more than just a film about exceptional athletes. Its message is: Every one of us can, if we have to, do more than we think we can.

Why only "if we have to"?

Sport is a key incentive. To people like Kirsten and Henry, whose life has been changed by some radical event, sport is in fact crucial in order to survive. But at the same time it is a key driving force, in terms of participating in life and integrating oneself. As a rule, "life" does not come to your doorstep; you have to go out and take hold of it with both hands.

This means that the message “You can do more than you think” becomes a challenge to all of us, to seek GOLD primarily in ourselves – because GOLD can be found in every one of us.

What are we planning to do?

Over the next two years, the project “GOLD – You can do more than you think” will confront people (with and without a handicap) with this message in varied and unique ways. By reporting about the film production, publishing athletes’ and producer’s blogs, background reports, video diaries and much more, we will allow people to take an active part in the topic. In addition, all sorts of information about “Paralympic Sports” news and events will also be available here.

"GOLD means..." will become a central statement that each of us can and should interpret for ourselves and imbue with our own meaning. GOLD fans and friends will be able to discuss and exchange information over the internet.

Who is behind GOLD?

GOLD is being produced by Parapictures Film Production GmbH from Hamburg, Germany. The documentary movie is an initiative of the German statutory accident insurance, DGUV. Its chief executive, Dr. Joachim Breuer, explains his company’s commitment as follows: “We want to draw attention to the relevance of sports to the rehabilitation and successful professional and social reintegration of people who have had an accident, using emotional and impressive pictures.”

GOLD is being made in cooperation with Spiegel TV Media, sponsored by Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein and distributed by NFP marketing & distribution.

Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, the German Minister of the Interior, and Willi Lemke, UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, have assumed the patronage of GOLD.