“Finally I am proud to release the Salute The Movie film trailer. Salute is the film by Matt Norman about the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Black power protest. The film comes out in July 2008. I hope you enjoy the trailer and please pass it on to as many people as you can. Thanks.”
“Salute – The Movie” is a journey back to the 1960’s and beyond, to examine what has now become one of the most famous Olympic moments in history.
The 1968 Mexico Olympics was notorious for so many reasons. When The Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia prior to the games, as well as the mass killings of Mexican Students during the Student protests, Vietnam, the Assassination of Robert Kennedy Junior and Martin Luther King Jr, sports and politics were destined to meet. The American outcry followed by complaints of unfair high-altitude, proved to be just the beginning. Nevertheless, America could never have foreseen the dramatic momentum that has prevailed over 35 years since the event that is “The civil rights movement”.
‘Salute…” being written, directed and produced by Peter Norman’s Film Director nephew Matt Norman, promises to be a fascinating and exclusive insight into the drama that was the Mexico Olympics, as well as the drama that followed in the lives of all three men on that dais.
This film is personal. It’s about three men that consider themselves brothers for life. Matt Norman has been welcomed into this acceptance of brotherhood with both Tommie Smith and John Carlos which gives this film a truth all of it’s own; A family one…
To find a truly amazing man you must first know that man from start to finish. This is Peter Norman’s untold story…
Peter Norman (June 15, 1942 – October 3, 2006), ‘Tell your kids about Peter Norman’, Martin Flanagan, The Age, October 10, 2006: “During the Sydney Olympics, a reporter from The Washington Post was amazed to find only one reference to Norman — an image on the side of a house in Redfern. Yesterday’s ceremony included a letter of respect from dual world record holder Michael Johnson and an anecdote relating the deep regard in which Norman was held by long-time 400-metre hurdling champion Edwin Moses. The US Track and Field Federation has declared October 9 Peter Norman Day.”
I watched the movie at Dendy, Newtown, last night. Every Australian kid needs to see this movie. It’s an inspiring tale that needs to be told over and over again.
Simply…
In my life I was lucky enough to have met Peter Norman.
Salute
Rated PG
Review by Margaret Pomeranz
A new Australian documentary looks back at an iconic moment in Olympic history that had an impact on the world but, more significantly, on the people involved…
At least two travesties of justice exposed in Peter Norman not being selected for the 1972 Olympics and no invitation for him in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics where his ’68 time would have won the Gold Medal. Thank goodness the American negro community recognized his contribution to human rights when we did not!
I wish someone would start a petition to have Peter Norman properly acknowledged by Australia and the world. In my view he should be posthumously awarded ‘Australian of the Year’, and a ‘Nobel Peace Prize’. This just goes to reinforce the ineptitude of the media that this man has not been acknowledged. What an inspiration!
Speaking of untold stories:
Mexico’s long forgotten dirty war
Duncan Kennedy
July 19, 2008
BBC News, Mexico
Mexico’s dirty war – in which political dissenters “disappeared” – was much less publicised than similiar events in other Latin American countries. But the first attempts are now being made to find some of those who were buried in mass graves in the 1960s and 70s…
One of the most infamous incidents occurred during a student demonstration in the centre of the country’s capital, Mexico City. It was 2 October 1968 at La Plaza De Las Tres Culturas.
Elements in the government of the ruling right-wing PRI party decided the demonstration was a national threat. So they sent in teams of plain-clothes soldiers, who started firing on the crowd.
Conservative estimates now suggest at least 300 people died in the square. Others believe as many as 800 were killed.
Most of the bodies were taken away in secret.
Incredibly, the massacre – for that is what it was – took place just 10 days before the start of the 1968 Olympic games in the city.
The country’s press were intimidated into saying practically nothing and the games duly went ahead.
Mexico’s security forces were trained by the Americans, just as others in Latin American states were at the time…
I just saw Matt Norman’s film Salute, as an Australian who was 18 when I saw this event happen today I am so pleased that Matt told this story. I was in my own way an activist against the Vietnam invasion and in support of my black brothers and sisters at home.
What I saw today was very moving and I wish I had the full story of Peter Norman’s life for the last 40 years so that I could have known all of his magnificence in all its detail. Matt, what a great film maker you are. Peter Norman you are one of the greatest Australian heroes ever. To the track and field officials and the Australian Olympic Committee shame on you. Our society is so riddled with double standards but the AOC has to be the worst of the worst. Thank you Matt you are a true artist from a great Australian family. Peter Norman is our greatest hero.
I saw the film Salute today, what a powerful piece of cinema it was. All Australians should be made to watch this film. Shame on the Australian Olympic Committee for not recognising the true meaning of sportsmanship. What a pity we don’t have more people like Peter on the Olympic Committee. In this week of events for World Youth Day with the Pope preaching peace and tolerance perhaps it would have been nice to see this film screened to the pilgrims to show them the true meaning of love for mankind no matter what beliefs and skin colour we have. To Matt you show a true love for your Uncle, well done. I will try to spread the word.
The image of these 3 men on the winners podium is to me beautifull,,powerfull,,moving&sad,,its disgusting how this hero was never celebrated in life,,our kids are taught what a hero Sir Don Bradman is,,but never a mention of this incredible aussie,,i will be taking my children to see this movie,,
Saw the movie today, with tears in my eyes and totally ashamed of my own ignorance of this amazing man
Australian Olympic selectors and organizers you should be so ashamed of yourselves
I am ashamed of you
How could you stop an athlete such as this from going to Munich
How could you not involve him in the Sydney Olympics
Was his crime so great
Someone has a lot to answer for
I hope one day this man gets his true recognition
Olympian Humanitarian = Heroism
I met Peter Norman outside a Bangkok Hotel in which I was staying. We started to chat and in conversation he happened to mention in passing that he had shared a podium in the Mexico 68 Games …no more …no less!
He let me have a business card and went into the hotel to meet his wife.
A chance meeting with a man who touched me with kindness and empathy …a true man amongst men.
Always in my thoughts.
I think the word “hero” would not do a man like Peter Norman justice. Knowing a little about what had taken place on that day in Mexico City I walked away knowing a whole lot more. I agree with others that this is one film that should be shown as part of our children’s education into the bravery and strength three men showed when they “stood up” that day. Hats off Peter Norman, you will be one person I wished I had of met when my time comes.
What a great Athlete, one of the best in the world. What a great Australian, who shows the best of the Aussie Spirit, of giving a person “a fair go mate”. If any person gave or gives this man a bad thought, shows how small a person you are!
He will forever be remembered by those who are willing to remember what he did along with Tommie and Carlos. He resisted the will to hate in a country with a “white policy”. The people then, and even the people today can go ahead and point their slurs at what these three men stood for: humanity united. But those who are willing to learn about their real message will remember the goodness they brought out.
Peter Norman was my PE teacher in the early to mid 80s at Williamstown Technical school in Melbourne Victoria. He was a great teacher. Sadly, I seriously doubt any of the people I went to school with were aware he was an Olympic medalist besides anything else he achieved. I loved the movie and respected the man. He made an impact on my life many years ago that still lingers today. For that reason I will remember him…