Watch The Athlete

The Athlete is a biographical sports drama film released in 2009. The film, directed by Davey Frankel and Rasselas Lakew, is based on the true story of Ethiopian long-distance runner Abebe Bikila, who won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. The Athlete stars Rasselas Lakew in the titular role as Abebe Bikila, accompanied by Dag Malmberg and Ruta Gedmintas.

The film takes place in the late 1950s when Ethiopia was ruled by Emperor Haile Selassie. At that time, Ethiopia was still largely unknown to the world, and Abebe Bikila himself was an unknown athlete. Abebe worked as a chauffeur for the emperor, but his passion was running. He trained in secret, often running barefoot in the hills around Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital. Despite his lack of resources and training facilities, Abebe was determined to achieve his dream of becoming an Olympic champion.

The film depicts the challenges and adversities Abebe faced as an athlete, especially as an African competing in a sport dominated by European and American athletes. The film shows how Abebe's resilience and determination, as well as his natural talent, allowed him to overcome these obstacles and emerge as a formidable athlete. It also portrays the support, encouragement, and guidance he received from his coach, Onni Niskanen, played by Dag Malmberg.

The Athlete climaxes with the Rome Olympic Games of 1960, where Abebe made history by winning the marathon. What made his victory even more remarkable was that he did it while running barefoot, making him the first black African to win a gold medal, as well as the first Olympic champion from sub-Saharan Africa.

The film highlights the significance of Abebe Bikila's achievement, not only for Ethiopia but also for Africa as a whole. At a time when the continent was still struggling with colonization and oppression, Abebe's victory represented hope and inspiration for many Africans.

One of the notable aspects of The Athlete is the attention to detail in portraying the historical and cultural context of Ethiopia in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The film captures the vibrant and colorful culture of Ethiopia, including the music, dance, and dress. The film also addresses the political and social issues of the time, including Ethiopia's struggle for independence and the tension between tradition and modernity.

The film has received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Ethiopian culture and history, as well as for Rasselas Lakew's performance as Abebe Bikila. Lakew, who also co-directed the film, delivered a convincing portrayal of the legendary athlete, capturing his passion, determination, and humility.

Overall, The Athlete is a powerful and inspirational film that celebrates the triumph of a humble and determined athlete who overcame enormous odds to achieve greatness. The film provides a glimpse into the life and career of Abebe Bikila, a hero who inspired a generation of African athletes and continues to be an icon of hope and perseverance.