Santa Cruz Film Festival 2009

OFFICIAL SELECTION: DOCUMENTARY FEATURE JURY COMPETITION

The Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics is one of the most iconic images of the 20th Century, and one of the most powerful moments in the civil rights movement. Salute revisits this controversial incident through the eyes of the third man on that stage, Australian Peter Norman. What part did he play in the events of that historic day? How was he impacted by the coincidence of sharing the spotlight with these two heroes? Why did he become involved in a struggle 8400 miles from home?

Lovingly told by Peter’s nephew, Matthew, Salute is a personal reflection about a man whose courageous, simple support for human rights half a world away defied conventional logic and earned him a place in history.

It’s no surprise that sports and politics collided at the XIX Olympiad. In the months preceding the games the world suffered a series of bitter and violent conflicts. Against this tumultuous backdrop, the Olympics commenced on October 12th. Four days later the 200 meter medal race was run. As the winners walked to the dais to receive their medals, Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos (the Gold and Bronze winners) donned black gloves and badges in support of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) who protested against racial segregation and discrimination. At the last moment, Norman also put on an OPHR badge demonstrating his support for their cause. As the Star Spangled Banner played, the two sprinters raised their salute. Norman stood alongside them, the OPHR badge proudly adorning his track jacket.

The global uproar this gesture created affected all three men for the rest of their lives, their individual stories running in parallel a world apart. They grew close and considered themselves brothers for life often sharing podiums together to speak out on racial equality.

Salute is a beautifully drawn portrait of three men whose bravery and strength inspired a generation of activists and is an important lesson about standing up for your beliefs in a hostile world.