New film to pay tribute to Munich Olympic massacre

‘Munich 1972 & Beyond’ will tell story of German memorial for Israeli athletes murdered at ’72 Summer Olympics

By AP 6 May 2015, 9:14 pm

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Shay Shapira, son of murdered athletics trainer Amitzur Shapira, right, delivers a speech in front of wreaths at a memorial at the former accommodation of the Israeli Olympic team in Munich, southern Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. (photo credit: dapd, Joerg Koch/AP)

LOS ANGELES — Production has begun on The Foundation for Global Sports Development’s (GSD) first documentary film. The documentary short, tentatively titled “Munich 1972 & Beyond,” is scheduled for release later this fall and will explore the terrorist attack on Israeli athletes during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

Unlike existing accounts of the attack, the new documentary will capture the contemporary story of a unique memorial under construction in Munich — conceived to recognize the courage of the fallen athletes and their families and convey the possibility of reconciliation for all involved.

Producers from GSD, recognized sports psychologist Dr. Steven Ungerleider and GSD President David Ulich, will travel to Israel this week where early production is taking place. Family members of the victims, former Olympians, and Israeli and German statesmen will be interviewed.

Ungerleider and Ulich shaped the idea for the film while participating in the memorial’s architectural competitions in Munich, Germany last fall.

The new memorial was initiated by the German States Ministry for Education, Science and Culture, and is supported by The Foundation for Global Sports Development and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The film will investigate the history behind the memorial’s origin, controversy generated from its delay, and the hope forged by its creation.

David Ulich, Producer and Executive Board Member for The Foundation for Global Sports Development (photo credit: AP/Business Wire)

Director Stephen Crisman, whose credits include documentaries for A&E, MSNBC and “60 Minutes,” and Executive Producer Michael Cascio — four-time Emmy winner and former programming chief at National Geographic Channel, as well as A&E and MSNBC — have been an inherent part of the film’s creation.

“Forty-three years have passed since an eager world audience tuned into the first international broadcast of the Olympic Games — only to watch in horror as the appalling acts of terror unfolded,” said Ungerleider. “The memorial will at last honor the heroism and sacrifice of the Israeli athletes and acknowledge the profound loss felt by their teammates and families.”

“The film will document the historic events of the past and present,” added Ulich. “We hope that by sharing this journey, audiences can discover that tragedies of the past can be healed by remembering.”