LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Production has begun on The Foundation for Global Sports Development’s (GSD) first documentary film. The documentary short, tentatively titled ‘Munich 1972 & Beyond,’ is scheduled for release later this fall and will explore the terrorist attack on Israeli athletes during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Unlike existing accounts of the attack, the new documentary will capture the contemporary story of a unique memorial under construction in Munich — conceived to recognize the courage of the fallen athletes and their families and convey the possibility of reconciliation for all involved.
Producers from GSD, recognized sports psychologist Dr. Steven Ungerleider and GSD President David Ulich, will travel to Israel this week where early production is taking place. Family members of the victims, former Olympians, and Israeli and German statesmen will be interviewed.
Ungerleider and Ulich shaped the idea for the film while participating in the memorial’s architectural competitions in Munich, Germany last fall. The new memorial was initiated by the German States Ministry for Education, Science and Culture, and is supported by The Foundation for Global Sports Development and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The film will investigate the history behind the memorial’s origin, controversy generated from its delay, and the hope forged by its creation.
Director Stephen Crisman, whose credits include documentaries for A&E, MSNBC and “60 Minutes,” and Executive Producer Michael Cascio — four-time Emmy winner and former programming chief at National Geographic Channel, as well as A&E, and MSNBC — have been an inherent part of the film's creation.
“Forty-three years have passed since an eager world audience tuned into the first international broadcast of the Olympic Games — only to watch in horror as the appalling acts of terror unfolded,” said Ungerleider. “The memorial will at last honor the heroism and sacrifice of the Israeli athletes and acknowledge the profound loss felt by their teammates and families.”
“The film will document the historic events of the past and present,” added Ulich. “We hope that by sharing this journey, audiences can discover that tragedies of the past can be healed by remembering.”
To learn more about the film and the memorial, please visit: www.munichmemorial.org.
About Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich
Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich serve as executive board members to GSD. Both have worked closely with the Olympic movement for many decades. Dr. Ungerleider has written several books on Olympic topics, including the best-selling “Faust’s Gold: Inside the East German Doping Machine,” which examined the 30 year doping activities of the late East German regime and was made into an award-winning film. Ulich and Ungerleider have designed prevention-based programs for youth at risk including a mentorship outreach taking youngsters to the Olympic games.
About The Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD)
Working closely with international sports federations, generous donors and committed athletes, The Foundation for Global Sports Development promotes sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world's youth. The Foundation gives special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, including women, minorities and youth in areas where the risk of delinquency is particularly high. Visit www.globalsportsdevelopment.org to learn more.
About Stephen Crisman
Stephen Crisman is an award-winning documentary producer, writer and director, whose prestigious programs have aired on CBS “60 Minutes,” A&E, History, MSNBC, and Food Network. His work includes in-depth television documentaries on Bob Dylan, Eugene O’Neill, gun control, Swiss banking, Nazi gold, Alcoholics Anonymous, and American history. Crisman Films has an Emmy award, seven Emmy nominations, multiple Cable Ace and Banff nominations, and screenings at the Berlin Film Festival and several others. Crisman’s production team includes Jennilyn Merten, an independent documentary filmmaker whose award-winning projects, such as “Sons of Perdition,” have aired on BBC, HBO, OWN and PBS, examining provocative questions of personal and social identity. Her work has also been shown at the Tribeca and Toronto film festivals.
About Michael Cascio
With four Emmys, two Oscar nominations and a “Producer of the Year” award, Cascio has a noteworthy career in documentary TV programming. As National Geographic Channel’s EVP, Programming, he was the driving force behind many important and successful programs, including the record-breaking “Inside 9/11,” the award-winning “Restrepo,” and the recent mini-series, “The ‘90s: The Last Great Decade?” As EVP/GM at Animal Planet, Cascio delivered record ratings and hit shows. He’s most recognized for his work at A&E, supervising the award-winning “Biography” series, as well as “Investigative Reports,” “City Confidential” and documentaries such as “Titanic: Death of a Dream.” He was VP at NBC News, creating a documentary strategy for MSNBC. Among his accolades, Cascio was cited in Entertainment Weekly’s “It List,” as one of the most creative people in the media. Cascio now advises selected media and production partners through his company, M&C Media LLC.
