2019 Winners & Shortlists

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

Under Armour answers the question on the mind of everyone who’s willing to take training seriously: how many reps does it take to become an athlete? Truth is, ‘enough’ is not a number. Progress is about giving it ‘one more’ every time the body wants to call it quits. Micro-influencers from across the Middle-East are seen pushing themselves to their personal limits, and beyond, in a universe where their entire existence is focused on training.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

To give the film for Under Armour local resonance and significance we filmed at a Middle-Eastern location the region has forgotten about: the never completed site of the Tripoli International Fair in Lebanon. Designed by world-renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, construction of this landmark was never finished because of the Lebanese Civil War. Its state today, after decades of neglect, is sadly appalling. With our lighting and art direction we wanted to show the abandoned, run-down site as the glorious architectural masterpiece it was meant to be. Since filming, the site has been nominated to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tell the jury about the choice of music track.

If you listen to the soundtrack of the Under Armour film you would think it's custom composed. It adds beautiful drama and emotional depth to the footage of the athletes pushing themselves to the limit. And then at the end of the film, the climax in the score frames the explosion of physical and mental willpower just perfectly. Fact is, the music wasn't composed in 2018, but in the early 20th century; it's Prelude in C# Minor, Op. 3, No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff.