A Frenchman flies toward Olympic glory while Klapisch captures every trembling muscle.
In 2014, in Donetsk, Renaud Lavillenie broke the pole vault world record held by the legendary Sergei Bubka. Since then, the French pole vaulter has become one of the world's greatest athletes. This summer, in Rio, he sets his sights on Olympic gold. His second, another record. Already present in Ukraine, Cédric Klapisch followed the champion in his preparation for over a year.
Direction
Klapisch finds poetry in chalk dust and callused hands.
Cinematography
The slow-motion vaults are genuinely transcendent.
Director
Cédric Klapisch
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Klapisch filmed during Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, making Donetsk footage accidentally capture a region on the brink of collapse.
Lavillenie broke Bubka's 21-year record indoors—the 'lesser' venue—adding delicious tension to his outdoor Olympic quest.
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