Les Films du 3 Mars and Les Vues de l’Esprit are pleased to unveil the poster and trailer of Champions, the first feature film directed by Helgi Piccinin and produced by Philippe Miquel. In this intimate documentary, the director accompanies his brother Stéphane and his friend Audrey, two inspiring athletes, on a sports odyssey that takes them from Canada to Dubai to participate in the Special Olympics World Games. Champions will be launched this fall and several screenings will take place in Quebec and Canada, along with discussions with the film crew.
Synopsis
Champions is a documentary in which the director follows the quests of his autistic brother Stéphane and his atypical friend Audrey. Born with an intellectual difference, Stéphane and Audrey want to prove to the world that they too can win medals. They found a passion in athletics competitions at the provincial and national levels and have now set their sights on the international stage. For three intense years marked by training and two championships, we follow them until the end of their ambitious dream, that of competing at the Special Olympics World Games in Dubai. Intertwining both the sports odyssey and the human portrait, this feel-good documentary offers an immersion into a fascinating world where athletes with an intellectual difference are at the forefront.
Champions – the web series
In addition to the film, a web series will present other champions: Canadian athletes but also parents, coaches and volunteers involved in the sports movement of the Special Olympics. This web series will be posted on the film’s social networks before the release of the film, at the rate of one episode per week.
About the filmmaker
Since 2005, Quebec independent filmmaker Helgi Piccinin has developed a unique and intimate approach to documentary cinema, showing a profound sensitivity to the poetry of the everyday and to the themes of identity and difference. He has created several short and medium-length films that have been widely distributed and that immerse his viewers in unusual or uncharted universes. Educated in Quebec and France, he gained rich field experiences, first travelling the world and then shooting films in Quebec, Canada, and the United States. Featuring his autistic brother, his first full-length documentary, Champions, reflects an even more personal approach.
Facebook: facebook.com/gochampionsgo
Instagram: instagram.com/championslefilm
Site web: f3m.ca/en/film/champions
