Documentary "Watermarks"

Madelaine said:

I saw the documentary "Watermarks" over the weekend. This is an
excellent film about a reunion of 6 champion women swimmers (well, one
was a diver) from the Jewish health club "Hakoah" in Nazi-era Austria.
The individual story of each life is told, and they reunite at the
stunningly beautiful natorium where they used to train. Of interest to
this group is the story of Judith Haspel, who refused to go to the 1936
Olympics and as a result was stripped of all her medals by the Austrian
Swimming body and banned from competition for life. Her medals were
reinstated 60 years later.

The thing I really loved about the film was the way that it is a
testimony on how to be old well. Two sisters (the Haspels) meet every
day to drink Vermouth and read poems, another swims daily with her
91-year-old husband, and another has recently fallen in love.

My one disappointment with the film is that there is not enough footage
of the pool they swam in. How can Donal replicate this for my backyard
when I become ultra-rich? Guess he'll have to visit in person.

The first link is to a very good review, and the second to the rather
bland description of the film. I urge anyone to see it or rent it if
you get the chance.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050527/ENTERTAINMENT03/505270318/1005/ENTERTAINMENT

http://www.empiremovies.com/movies.php?id=1823

Correction--the Haspel sisters are the Deutsch sisters.
http://www.mjff.org/watermarks_essay.html

Madelaine said:

I saw the documentary "Watermarks" over
the weekend.

Thanks, I'll look for it.

Quoted message said:

My one disappointment with the film is
that there is not enough footage of the
pool they swam in. How can Donal
replicate this for my backyard when I
become ultra-rich? Guess he'll have to
visit in person.

I wouldn't replicate it, but I could be
inspired. Last night I watched a semi-
swimming movie: Warm Springs, which
starred Kenneth Branagh as FDR coming to
grips with his polio in the warm mineral
waters of Georgia. The film implies that
such experiences inspired his 'common
touch' with the American people.

BTW, I'm celebrating my first half-century
by watching Raid: The Sequel at the AFI
Silver this weekend. Actor Kai Lehtinen
and Director Tapio Piiranen are scheduled
to appear.

Madelaine said:

I saw the documentary "Watermarks" over the weekend. This is an
excellent film about a reunion of 6 champion women swimmers (well, one
was a diver) from the Jewish health club "Hakoah" in Nazi-era Austria.

I put it on my list for my movie mail system. It went on Save because it
hasn't been released yet.

Thank you!

Ruth Kazez