If you have ever wondered what it is like to meet a living legend, then Ágnes Keleti: Conquering Time offers a front-row seat to history. This inspiring documentary, directed by Kata Oláh, is more than just a tribute to the eldest surviving Olympic champion; it is a celebration of an extraordinary life that defies both time, circumstances and expectation.
Did you know that American superstar Simone Biles just caught up with Keleti and her accomplishments at the Paris Olympics. It is a stark reminder that while modern media may spotlight today’s sports stars, they are standing on the shoulders of legends like Keleti.
Ágnes Keleti, a five-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, holds the distinction of being the most accomplished gymnast from Hungary. At 103, she stands as a symbol of resilience and excellence, having outlived the esteemed Lydia Wideman, the Finnish cross-country skier, who was previously the oldest Olympic champion. The film traces Keleti’s remarkable journey from her early days in Budapest to her remarkable career that includes her triumphs at the Helsinki and Melbourne Olympics.
Source: Israel Film Archive
Filmed primarily in Budapest between 2020 and 2022, the documentary captures the essence of Keleti’s life with a mix of reverence and sunshine-esque warmth. Keleti’s story is one of grit and determination. Born in 1921 to a Jewish family, she was an emerging gymnast when the Holocaust disrupted her early years. Her father fell victim to the Holocaust, and the family went through the darkest of times. However, Keleti’s passion for sport never waned; she practiced her routines in secret, in the woods during the war years, emerging to claim four gold medals at the 1949 College World Championships. Her Olympic journey began in 1952, culminating in a spectacular performance in Melbourne in 1956. Here, she won four gold medals amidst the turmoil of the Hungarian Revolution, though she claims she was “in a poor form” by the time of her arrival to Australia due to stress and fatigue.
After her incredible performance in Melbourne in 1956, with another forty-something athletes, she did not return to Hungary. Instead, she settled in Australia with her family but faced a lack of opportunities. Her career took a new turn when she moved to Israel at 35, where she played a crucial role in developing the country’s athletic education system. She later married sports journalist Róbert Bíró, had two sons, and only returned to Hungary at the age of 95. This whirlwind of relocations raises questions about how history has often forced remarkable individuals to start anew, sidetracking their paths and swirling them far from their home.
Source: ArtMozi
The film does a commendable job of celebrating Keleti’s adventurous spirit and dedication to her passion of sport. Now over a century old, Keleti remains vibrant, playful, and as engaging as ever. Her infectious smile, spontaneous dance moves, and impromptu singing, on- and off-camera showcase, a life lived with passion and curiosity. Oláh’s direction beautifully captures these moments, mixing original footage with historical archives and wonderful animations by Kati Egely that add a dynamic, “pink-pop” touch to the story.
Yet, while the film excels in portraying Keleti’s indomitable spirit and the historical significance of her achievements, it stumbles in its execution. The opening and closing segments feel somewhat disjointed, lacking the cohesiveness and impact that the rest of the documentary delivers. The beginning, featuring a young Keleti’s gymnastic routine followed by uneven contemporary shots of Budapest, feels like a collage of ideas rather than a focused narrative. Similarly, the ending, which juxtaposes a young cellist playing for Keleti with playful snippets of her interactions with family, lacks the punch to properly close the film’s journey. It feels that the filmmakers had so many options to choose from for both the A and the Z of the film, they could not make a strong decision.
Despite these minor flaws, Ágnes Keleti: Conquering Time is a moving and adventurous film that goes beyond the world of sports. It offers valuable life lessons on perseverance, acceptance, and the joy of simple pleasures. For anyone, not only for those interested in the Paris Olympics 2024, this documentary is a perfect Friday night companion, reminding us of the pioneers who paved the way for today’s athletes and opportunities we tend to take for granted.
Ágnes Keleti: Conquering Time is now available on FILMIO.
~ by Dora Endre ~
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