Rising Phoenix premiered on Netflix on 26th August 2020. The documentary is directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui and stars Tatyana McFadden, Bebe Vio Beatrice, and Jonnie Peacock alongside other Paralympics athletes who talk about their journies and life.
Rising Phoenix tells the extraordinary story of the Paralympic Games. From the rubble of World War II to the third biggest sporting event on the planet, the Paralympics sparked a global movement that continues to change the way the world thinks about disability, diversity & human potential.
The Paralympic Torch
Rising Phoenix represents Paralympians as superhero’s and shares their journey with its viewers. The documentary brings representation to usually lesser-known athletes, who grow up and shine despite their disabilities with sheer grace, courage, and hard work.
Time and again, society has tried its best to shun disabled people as if being the way they are is a choice or a taboo. The Paralympics allowed these athletes to empower themselves and tell themselves and the society that they are more than their disabilities. And the society can’t crate opportunities for them, they’ll build it for themselves.
Many of these athletes were bullied back in their childhoods and the world was not humble to them. The documentary does not aim at glorifying the Paralympics but rather, it cheers the athletes and their journey and embraces them for who they are. It brings the athletes to an equal platform, whether they plan to take part in the Olympics or the Paralympics.
The documentary shares a fair amount of history of Paralympics and about its athletes not even once would you feel overwhelmed. It is well-balanced and manages to hold the viewers’ attention until the very end. As viewers, you experience the struggle and growth of paralympics and the losses and wins of the athletes and it’s wholesome.
Stream It or Skip It
STREAM IT! Rising Phoenix is one of those documentaries that will leave you inspired with a message that – don’t let anything belittle you and your disabilities. They don’t define you – you are way more than that.
Other than a motivational message, the documentary also educates you about the Paralympics and there is nothing unlikeable about it.
Rising Phoenix is now streaming on Netflix.
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