Red Bull Studios to Shoot New Documentary ‘How Sports Changed the World’

Red Bull Studios (RBS), one of the producers behind the electrifying documentary The Real Mo Farah, has canceled its next project, titled The Moment: How Sports Changed the World. diversity can reveal exclusively.

Directed by Tom Jennings of 1895 Films, The Moment is a feature film that explores the enduring impact of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which took place at the controversial end of apartheid in South Africa. At the time, the South African national team (nicknamed the Springboks) only had one black player – Chester Williams – but won the tournament in a moment that united the country (pictured above is Mandela congratulating Springbok captain François Pienaar after his win) . .

“The well-known story is that Nelson Mandela really took a risk [hosting the Rugby World Cup in 1995] because the springboks were considered a symbol of apartheid and they were detested in South Africa outside of the white nationals,” says Bernadette McDaid, Global Head of Red Bull Studios diversity. “[Mandela] decided that the rugby tournament could be used to unite the country in the shadow of apartheid. It was very risky. And as we know today, of course he succeeded.”

The Moment follows the story of that tournament and the discussions surrounding it, leading up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where the Springboks defeated England and won the tournament again, this time with Siya Kolisi, the Springboks’ first black team captain, at the Top.

In Jennings’ signature style, all documentation was created from a contemporary archive, without any narration or interviews. It also includes never-before-seen and rare archive footage.

“It’s a beautiful way of taking that snapshot, exploring the story behind it, and then showing how the past affects the present,” McDaid explained.

Although it’s currently a standalone feature document, RBS has indicated they’re so pleased with the outcome of The Moment that they’re investigating it for the first time in a series, with each one exploring a different sporting moment that change was crucial to triggering earthquake-like society. You are currently in talks with broadcasters and streaming partners to co-finance a series.

McDaid is Executive Producer of The Moment: How Sports Changed the World, Sarah Hume is Executive Producer and Deborah Henderson is Head of Business Affairs. Jennings is directing and producing.