Content Warning: This article contains references/discussions of sexual assault and abuse.
Gymnastics is such a beloved category of the Olympics as well as a beloved sport on its own. The awe-inspiring flips, jumps, stunts, and tricks dumbfound audiences all over the world.
With a sport as intriguing as gymnastics, it makes sense that there have been movies and documentaries made to show the dedication and sometimes tragedy that is found in the sport and its participants. With the help of IMDb, these are just some of the best documentaries that focus on the sport.
Gymnast (2011)- 7.0
This documentary follows the lives of the women who were in the British gymnastics team and participated 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Rated a 7.0 out of 10, Gymnast is a strong British film that gives a glimpse into the lives of the gymnasts and what they have to go through to be considered an Olympic contender.
Directed by Anthony Wonke, who also chronicled soccer star Cristiana Ronaldo's life in his own eponymous documentary. Like some of the best documentaries on the Olympics, Wonke shows a steady hand in documenting the life and trials of athletes and the sports they inhabit.
Nadia Comaneci: The Gymnast And The Dictator (2016)- 7.1
Nadia Comaneci: The Gymnast And The Dictator also known as Nadia Comaneci: La Gymnaste Et Le Dictateur is a foreign documentary that focuses on gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who rose to fame in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
The movie delves into Comaneci's grand routines and the universal fame that followed while also shedding a light on Comaneci's life behind-the-scenes and the restrictions she faced under the regime of the Romanian dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu.
Over The Limit (2017) - 7.4
2017's Over the Limit focuses on rhythmic gymnast, Margarita Mamun, and her struggle to take part in the 2016 Olympics in the Russian National team. Revealing about both the gymnast herself as well as her tough coach Irina Viner, the documentary provides insight into the intense pressures and expectations that follow an Olympic prospect.
The documentary also provides an interesting aside on the competition between Mamun and her best friend, another Olympic hopeful, Yana Kudryavtseva. Relating the mental and personal anguish that competition at high stakes can cause, Over the Limit is a powerful and unique film set apart from the usual sports documentary.
16 Days Of Glory (1986)- 7.6
At nearly five hours, this all-encompassing documentary on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics features Mary Lou Retton's gymnastic triumph among other notable events. Showing from the opening to the closing ceremonies, 16 Days of Glory recounts the events through the participants and their points of view.
Other than the skilled Mary Lou Retton being on display, other athletes profiled include swimmers, American Greg Louganis and West German Michael Gross.
Athlete A (2020)- 7.6
Considerd one of the best Netflix documentaries, and directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, Athlete A investigates the Larry Nassar gymnastics scandal. As reported by Indianapolis Star journalists, the documentary details the sexual abuse several gymnasts suffered at the hands of the former USA Gymnastics National Team doctor.
While providing the documentation of the events, the film also provides some reflective and thought-provoking commentary on the corruption of the USA Gymnastics and how they failed to uphold a duty of care. An investigative piece, Athlete A is a stirring and well-made film.
A State Of Mind (2004) - 7.7
This British documentary examines the Mass Games, which is the world's largest choreographed gymnastics competition, and follows two young North Korean hopefuls as they prepare for the competition. Going deeper than just the Mass Games gymnastics competition, A State of Mind delves into North Korea and its complex relationship with other countries.
A polarizing film, often due to accusations of propaganda in support of the North Korean government, the film holds a high 7.7 rating out of 10 because of the film's access to the little-known details of daily life in the country.
At The Heart Of Gold: Inside The USA Gymnastics Scandal (2019)- 8.0
Ranked as one of HBO's best sports documentaries, At The Heart Of Gold: Inside The USA Gymnastics Scandal the documentary discusses and investigates the abuse committed by disgraced Dr. Larry Nassar.
Similar to Athlete A, At The Heart Of Gold: Inside The USA Gymnastics Scandal inspects the scandal as well as the aftermath for all those involved. It also condemns the system that allowed Nassar to get away with his crimes for so long, closely examining the Michigan State cover-ups that occurred while he was employed at the University. At an 8.0 rating, At The Heart Of Gold has been widely praised by critics for providing a safe platform for women and making sure that the survivors' voices are heard and no longer suppressed by the corrupt regimes.
The Golden Girl (2019) - 8.5
With an 8.5 rating on IMDb, The Golden Girl is about Romanian gymnast Andreea Raducan and her fight against the International Olympics Committee to give her back the gold medal they took away in a controversial ruling at the 2000 Olympics.
Through archival footage and interviews with Raducan herself, the story of how and why she was stripped of her medal is revealed. Also, the film tackles broader issues of Raducan and her gold medal as explaining that the gold medal Raducan was stripped of was of major importance to the country of Romania due to Romania's economic position and government transition at the time.