Salute

I have just come from the world premiere of 'Salute' here at the Sydney Film Festival where it received a standing ovation by some members of the audience. The film is a documentary on the events surrounding a famous incident at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico that also became a photographic icon - at their medal ceremony United States Olympic track athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black glove fists in salute against the inequality and black poverty at home (they also did not wear shoes, only socks). In particular the film is about the lesser known Australian Peter Norman, the silver medalist in that race who knew the injustice that was being felt by his fellow athletes (along with the people of Mexico where student protesters had recently been murdered by the military) and how he could, through this little patch of podium, show his solidarity with their plight by wearing a human rights badge (Australia too had the discriminatory White Australia policy and had only recently at the time given their indigenous aboriginal population the vote). It is a straightforward, timely and very moving documentary with interviews from various athletes of the time that also takes a critical look at the fallout of their stand - Norman was reprimanded and ostracized, Smith and Carlos were ostracized and suspended. There are many moments of humor throughout, particularly when Norman was asked by a reporter how would the Olympics have been affected if the African American athletes had boycotted them in protest, his reply – I would have won gold! Australian Peter Norman along with Tommie Smith and John Carlos should be admired and remembered. Highly Recommended

It's a post humus tribute to the Australian athlete Peter Norman, written and directed by his nephew Matt Norman. Some interesting interviews with all three men, but don't expect to see much about the stories of the two American athletes. Good production value.

I watched this doco on a plane a year or so ago and I still think about it. If an Australian today won the silver medal in the 200 metres at the Olympics he would be a national hero. Not only did Peter Norman do this he had the guts to stand up for the greater good of black rights...to be ostracised was a crime and was complete madness by the Australian Olympic management at the time and in 72 and in 2000...unbelievable..

Full credit to Matt Norman and the family for telling the story..thank you for making the effort as it moved me....

This is an EXCELLENT Documentary. Thank You to Mr. Peter Norman for doing his part in making the world a better place. His sacrifice should be motivation. Thank You to Dr. Tommy Smith & Dr. John Carlos for the ICONIC"SALUTE" that continued to propel a movement to change the world. FOREVER GRATEFUL.

(Flash Review)

This is an interesting look at the powerful statement three Olympic sprinters made on the medal stand in 1968 in Mexico. Americans Tommie Smith won Gold and John Carlos won Bronze and zippy Australian Peter Norman passed Carlos for Silver at the tape. During the medal ceremony Smith and Carlos made their strong Black Power salute and Norman contributed his sentiments by wearing a pin on his jacket supporting the human rights cause. This documentary is about the effects on Norman's life being part of that medal stand and the pin he wore. It of course talks about Smith and Carlos and the effect their salute had on their lives post Olympics and to the civil rights movement overall. It also focused on the atmosphere of civil rights during that time and how much they all respected his contribution. This was a unique and touching perspective on that event with interviews from the three athletes and others. Norman is a witty fellow.