Every four years, Olympic athletes inspire the world with their dedication, sportsmanship, and God-given talent – and then we forget about them again until the next games. So few people can really appreciate the years of hard work and sacrifice that goes into training for the world’s most prestigious sporting event, even for those who come up short of a medal.
For those of us who are dying to know, the upcoming documentary El Gran Salto (The Jump) has followed one of Mexico’s most prestigious track and field families, the Rivera brothers, over the last three years as they struggled and sweat their way to the Rio Olympics. Consisting of four exceptionally talented brothers, El Gran Salto focuses on long jumper Luis and high jumper Edgar, who happen to be childhood friends of director Jorge Porras.
Focusing on their grueling preparations, and the crucial family network, El Gran Salto seeks to be an inspirational story that pulls back the curtain on the trials and tribulations of world-class amateur athletes. So far, Porras and his crew are about 70% through the project, but shooting at the Rio Games left them without a dime to wrap shooting and start the post-production process.
That’s where you come in. El Gran Salto is looking to bring together $30,000 in an all-or-nothing crowdfunding campaign that will allow them to bring their project into the final straightaway before hitting screens near you. With perks ranging from a video shoutout to an intimate dinner with the Rivera brothers and Jorge Porras, the production team has given plenty of incentive to chip in a few bucks for a worthwhile, inspirational story about Mexico’s olympic athletes.