This week people all over the world will pause to honor the memory of the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed in a terrorist attack on September 5th at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. As the 44th anniversary of this violent tragedy approaches, a timely new documentary, “Munich ’72 and Beyond,” shares new revelations and emotional interviews, calling attention to details forgotten, ignored, or obscured for more than 40 years.
“Munich ’72 and Beyond” delves deeper into the sequence of events which occurred during the terrorist attack and gives a voice to the family members whose lives were forever changed that day. The documentary culminates with a look at plans for a memorial on the grounds of the Munich Olympic Stadium honoring those who lost their lives that tragic day.
A Production by The Foundation for Global Sports Development, “Munich ’72 and Beyond” is directed by the award-winning filmmaker Stephen Crisman and produced by Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich, with Executive Producer Michael Cascio. “Munich ’72 and Beyond” will make its Los Angeles premiere at the LA Shorts Fest on September 2nd at 3:15 PM. The 2016 LA Shorts Fest is taking place September 1st through September 8th at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California.
Producers David Ulich and Dr. Steven Ungerleider have a unique 38-year connection to the Olympics. Both are members of the USOC Foundation Board of Trustees, working closely for years with the Olympic movement and sports federations, including the International Olympic Committee. Ungerleider has authored five books on Olympic history, including the fall of East Germany and the entire doping regime. Their close ties to the Munich victims’ families along with their Olympic connections have allowed them, in collaboration with Stephen Crisman, unprecedented access to this story, their subjects and the new evidence in the case. They felt the need to share this story of courage and strength so that as Ankie Spitzer explains in the film, “Let us not forget what happened here in 1972 so that it will never happen again.”
About Stephen Crisman
Steven Crisman is a director and producer is an award-winning documentary producer, writer and director, whose prestigious programs have aired on CBS 60 Minutes, A&E, History, MSNBC, and Food Network. His work includes in-depth television documentaries on Bob Dylan, Eugene O’Neill, gun control, Swiss banking and “Nazi Gold,” Alcoholics Anonymous, and American history. Crisman Films has an Emmy award, seven Emmy nominations, multiple Cable Ace and Banff nominations, and screenings at the Berlin Film Festival and several others.
About Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich
Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich serve as executive board members to GSD. Both have worked closely with the Olympic movement for many decades; Dr. Ungerleider has written several books on Olympic topics, including the best-selling Faust’s Gold: Inside the East German Doping Machine, which examined the 30 year doping activities of the late East German regime and was made into an award winning film. Ulich and Ungerleider have designed prevention based programs for youth at risk including a mentorship outreach taking youngsters to the Olympic Games.
About Michael Cascio
With four Emmys, two Oscar nominations and a “Producer of the Year” award, Cascio has a noteworthy career in documentary TV programming. As National Geographic Channel’s EVP, Programming, he was the driving force behind many important and successful programs, including the record-breaking Inside 9/11, the award-winning Restrepo, and the recent mini-series, The ‘90s: The Last Great Decade? As EVP/GM at Animal Planet, Cascio delivered record ratings and hit shows. He’s most recognized for his work at A&E, supervising the award-winning Biography series, as well as Investigative Reports, City Confidential and documentaries such as Titanic: Death of a Dream. He was VP at NBC News, creating a documentary strategy for MSNBC. Among his accolades, Cascio was cited in Entertainment Weekly’s “It List,” as one of the most creative people in the media. Cascio now advises selected media and production partners through his company, M&C Media LLC.
About Global Sports Development
Working closely with international sports federations, generous donors and committed athletes, The Foundation for Global Sports Development promotes sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world’s youth. The Foundation gives special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, including women, minorities and youth in areas where the risk of delinquency is particularly high. Visit http://www.globalsportsdevelopment.org to learn more.
