Beyond All Barriers

Beyond All Barriers is an Olympics documentary that has virtually no athletics in it. Other than a five minute montage in the middle, this movie just documents the opening and closing ceremonies of the Seoul Olympics in 1988. It looks like the film makers were operating under some restraints as there does not appear to be any cameras on the field, giving most of the action a very remote feel. A very talented director might have found a way around these limitations but that is not the case here. Almost all of the shots are mid to long shots, with almost no close ups to heighten the action. The result is that the viewer feels he is in stands (and very high up at that) rather than getting a front row view. Which is a shame, because the events in the ceremonies look pretty impressive. A missed opportunity.