A film that fictionalises the sexual abuse a teenager suffers at the hands of her skiing coach was only possible thanks to the #MeToo movement, its director says.
Slalom, set in a competitive ski club in the French Alps, is Charlène Favier’s first feature film. French actress Noée Abita plays Lyz, a 15-year-old girl who is accepted into a ski club that trains professional athletes up to an Olympic standard. She is groomed by her coach, Fred, played by In Bruges actor Jérémie Renier.
Favier says that she grew up in the Alps and skied competitively as a girl, but that “Slalom is not my story – it’s not autobiographical in the true sense of the word”.
“I did indeed experience someone having a hold over me, but in another sporting context. I preferred to use fiction because it allowed me to take a step back from my own story. Around me, I heard many stories of young girls who had experienced what I talk about in the film. I have received many accounts.”
The director began writing the script in 2014, but the film wasn’t made until 2019 – by which time the #MeToo movement had begun and accounts of sexual abuse in sport were coming to light, including those of more than 250 US gymnasts against their former doctor Larry Nasser.
In 2020, French figure skating was also rocked by claims of decades of sexual abuse within the sport, following allegations by French champion Sarah Abitbol that she had been repeatedly raped as a teenager by her former coach.
“When I started writing the film in 2014, no one was really talking about all that. But I still wanted to denounce a taboo,” Favier recalls.
“I think that #MeToo was the first open door to all these stories to come out, and until I was able to shoot the film in 2019 this movement gave me strength and courage, because at the time I was afraid to tell the story.”
Curzon Home Cinema
“I felt so alone, and no one wanted to hear it. It was hard to finance the film, people were telling me, ‘Oh, this is really interesting, it’s great writing but no.’ They didn’t want to hear it or face it either.
“So I think #MeToo gave me some power to keep going with the film, and when the recent sex scandals in the sports world broke, the film was finished. I knew it was an important story to tell.
“With Slalom, people will be able to understand my message. If the film had been released a few years ago, its reception would have definitely been different. It helps the film, I think.”
The release of documentaries such as Athlete A on Netflix, an investigation into the US Gymnastics scandal, has also raised the profile of a hitherto rarely discussed subject.
Netflix
In 2018, Laura Dern also starred in The Tale, an HBO film directed by Jennifer Fox, about the grooming Fox had suffered at the hands of her running coach, and how she only came to realise it later in life.
BBC Radio 4 Today sports presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram points out that sexual abuse can happen to any gender in sport.
“I think Britain’s biggest sex abuse scandal in sports was made public in 2016, thanks to the bravery of Andy Woodward. He spoke about the abuse he suffered in football from the age of 11, which just shows how many years it can take for people to talk about it,” she explains.
“Then we’ve seen abuse within US gymnastics and French figure skating become public knowledge. It’s the numbers of people reporting abuse and the timescale that are so upsetting. It becomes incredibly worrying that generations of adults in positions of power have been allowed to get away with it.
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“I found Slalom quite difficult to watch sometimes, possibly as it was fiction, and it feels very close to home as it’s sport, but it takes the issue to a much wider audience.
“I thought it also portrayed very accurately that single-mindedness is part of sport, and the idea that you might have to do anything, literally anything, if you want to be the best in the world.
“So many sports people have a mindset that you have to do hour after hour of training and be the last to leave practice. It can explain in some way what can happen – you have that intensity and drive, and that’s the point at which young people can be taken advantage of.”
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Charlène Favier is herself critical of the training system for young people within sports, and its historic lack of boundaries.
“It can happen with girls, it can also happen with boys, so this film tells the world that we have to put up a boundary,” she says.
“It cannot be that there are no rules, just because the young people are there to potentially compete at the Olympics one day.
“Parents need to be there, they need to be focused on their children and not to just blindly accept that trainers know what they’re doing. Not enough money has been given to clubs to help hire psychologists to watch and help these young people either, in many cases.
Curzon Home Cinema
“Sometimes the problem is the mental attitude of the trainer, they don’t know how to deal with these issues alone. In my film, it’s a small club, and that’s worse, because it’s less people and less money, so the trainer does everything alone and it opens the door to a big mess, a disaster.”
“I make films to say the things that I’ve never been able to,” she says. “When I realised I was writing a story about sexual abuse, I was so afraid of the subject I almost stopped writing.
“But my producer, and other people around me, helped me to face the subject, and my own story. It ended up being so helpful to me to make this film, as the journey took five years, and I grew up a lot making Slalom. It’s not only a huge change in my career but also I feel so much freer today.”
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
