"Seven Seconds. The Dream of Flying" - A Ski Jumping Documentary Hits Cinemas

A new documentary capturing a historic moment in women's ski jumping is now making its way to cinema screens. "Seven Seconds. The Dream of Flying," directed by Martina di Lorenzo, recently premiered in Germany and will soon be shown in Austria. The film tells the inspiring story of female athletes who realized their dreams last year at Vikersund, where they participated in the first-ever women's ski flying event.

The title, "Seven Seconds," refers to the brief but exhilarating time a ski jumper spends in flight on the world’s largest ski jumping hills. Historically, ski flying competitions at these venues—Kulm (AUT), Oberstdorf (GER), Planica (SLO), and Vikersund (NOR)—were exclusive to men. However, the 2022/23 season marked a groundbreaking shift, as 15 women took part in the inaugural women's ski flying competition in Vikersund. Slovenian jumper Ema Klinec made history by setting a new world record with a jump of 226 meters.

Martina di Lorenzo’s documentary follows two of these trailblazing athletes, Katharina Schmid and Eva Pinkelnig, offering an intimate look at their journey. "It is a documentary that focuses not only on the sport of ski jumping but also on the personal journey of two world-class ski jumpers," di Lorenzo explained. "The film gives an insight into their passion, determination, and the challenges they face on and off the hill."

The film also highlights the athletes' struggles and triumphs as they pushed the boundaries of their sport. Di Lorenzo spent nearly four years bringing this project to life, with 34 days of filming across an entire season, capturing everything from summer preparation to the winter competition.

"Seven Seconds" delves deep into the effort and perseverance these women put forth to earn their place on the ski flying hills, culminating in their historic achievement at Vikersund. "I want to show how fascinating ski jumping is and the passion with which these women pursue their goals," di Lorenzo said. "It’s a film about the passion, courage, and perseverance of our female protagonists on their way to flying."

The documentary first made its debut to the athletes themselves, with a special screening held during the World Cup weekend in Vikersund. "I was very nervous before the private screening in March, but in the end, I was very happy," di Lorenzo shared. "The athletes felt well represented, which was important to me—I wanted to make a film that they could see themselves in."

Currently, "Seven Seconds. The Dream of Flying" is being screened at the Kurfilmtheater in Oberstdorf, a town synonymous with the famous Four Hills Tournament. The Austrian premiere is scheduled for August 21st at Metropolkino in Innsbruck, with Eva Pinkelnig and Eva Ganster, stars of the film, attending as honorary guests. The documentary will also feature at the Kitzbühel Film Festival and later in Einsiedeln during the Nordic Week.

This film is not just a chronicle of a sporting event; it's a tribute to the passion and determination of women who have redefined the boundaries of ski jumping.