Unbreakable: The compelling story of Jelena Dokic on the large display screen | 22 November, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions
“Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story” is the most recent iteration of the previous world No.4’s tennis journey, exhibiting the rise, fall, and rise once more of one among Australia’s most beloved athletes.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 22 November 2024 | Matt Trollope
The commonest query requested after telling individuals what you noticed Unbreakable: The Story of Jelena Dokic “Oh wow, was it good?”
A query filled with two solutions.
Good, so far as filmmaking goes. In truth, it is extremely good; administrators Jessica Halloran and Ivan O’Mahoney put collectively a documentary wealthy with interview expertise, depth of analysis, entry to archival footage and a spotlight to element all through.
Not good both, in line with the researched article. Key items of Continuous it was decidedly uncomfortable to look at, as Dokic recounted intimately the bodily and psychological abuse he endured by the hands of his father.
However what’s revealed is a very inspirational persona in Dokic – an athlete and particular person with an unbelievable preventing spirit and sense of life whose work has the ability to vary lives.
A lot to say on stage on the premiere in Melbourne Continuous on the Astor Theatre, the place he was joined on stage by Halloran and O’Mahoney and the place he obtained a standing ovation on the finish of the present.
“I am truly anxious,” Dokic advised the Melbourne viewers within the metropolis he has now known as residence for 12 years.
“It’s tough to search out phrases as a result of for me that is what’s being talked about. It is about you. We needed to inform a narrative – we simply needed to make a distinction.
“It isn’t even about singing, it is in regards to the love I really feel. Thanks. My coronary heart is full. You did not simply make my day, you made this 12 months. I imply, you could have made my life – if I die immediately, I’ll die a really completely happy particular person.”
Halloran wrote the primary e-book “Unbreakable” which was launched in 2017 and has developed an in depth relationship with Dokic. He was the primary reporter to instantly ask the Australian tennis star: Was he abused by his father?
Jelena Dokic credit Jess Halloran with saving her life, by writing the e-book ‘Unbreakable’, now a robust movie, co-directed by Jess and Ivan O’Mahoney.
Chatting with the trio on the packed Sydney and Melbourne premieres was an unforgettable expertise. #NOT THAT pic.twitter.com/eCOyZZaxRY
— Sam Lane (@SamJaneLane) November 20, 2024
This was thought-about an open secret within the sport, but it was the beginning of a painful course of for Dokic – he opened up in regards to the trauma he had skilled throughout his journey to turning into among the best gamers on the earth, which led to psychological well being points. .
The documentary Unbreakable is the most recent iteration of his story, with O’Mahoney introduced in to make the movie model.
Dokic testified that O’Mahoney went into labor for 5 hours, earlier than being resuscitated for an hour and 40 minutes.
With out leaking too many spoilers, two moments stood out essentially the most.
Do not miss Jelena Dokic’s sincere and galvanizing documentary Unbreakable, now in cinemas. Jelena’s journey is a testomony to the ability of resilience and the human spirit. pic.twitter.com/tkhzQJA03H
– Craig Tiley (@CraigTiley) November 11, 2024
The primary was a reproduction of Dokic’s first-round victory over world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon in 1999, a second that catapulted her to stardom. Whereas greater than 10,000 raucous followers stood and applauded what they noticed within the First Court docket, Dokic remembers nicely that just one particular person – his father, Damir – didn’t be a part of within the applause.
This broke the guts of this 16-year-old boy on the time, who lastly realized that nothing he may do – even defeating the most effective participant on the earth within the greatest event within the sport – would ever be sufficient to fulfill and earn his father’s honor.
One other was a replay of her 2001 Australian Open first spherical match towards No.2 seed Lindsay Davenport.
This occurred just a few days after Damir pressured Jelena to chop ties with Australia and begin representing Yugoslavia, the results of his conspiracy perception that the portray was held towards his daughter.
Dokic obtained an impromptu reception when he entered Rod Laver Enviornment to face Davenport, who didn’t overlook the poor nature of their competitors. In an emotional interview, the American revealed that he was not completely happy about that win, and that he later consoled Dokic – distraught and nervous about his upcoming press convention – within the locker room.
In her new documentary ‘Unbreakable’, Jelena Dokic reveals the horrific abuse she endured after a few of her greatest moments and tells us how she manages to remain constructive and optimistic. pic.twitter.com/Y7GpV3BsZv
— The Undertaking (@theprojecttv) October 25, 2024
In an interview after the Astor take a look at, Dokic talked about the significance of together with this scene, and emphasised to the viewers that representing Australia – be it on the Olympics, the Billie Jean King Cup or in entrance of the house followers on the Australian championships – has to supply. the best delight.
Continuous and chronicles his first steps within the sport in Serbia – together with interviews with a younger up to date and coach – then working with Australian tennis greats Lesley Bowery and Tony Roche, who guided him by his teenage years in Sydney.
As his rise to world No.1 was coated, the viewers reacted loudly when he was photographed with fellow 1998 junior champion Roger Federer, a reminder of the heights he rose to.
Mark Philippoussis negotiated a mix of expertise to win the Hopman Cup for Australia in 1999, however as he appeared on tour that season, Damir’s erratic habits and management and violent tendencies started to take over, growing considerably in 2000 in Montreal – recalling the scenes they confronted. by Dokic and fellow Australian Rennae Stubbs.
We see him proceed to rise – he received his main title in Rome in 2001, and peaked at world quantity 4 in 2002 – earlier than falling and disappearing dramatically from the sport as his psychological well being worsened.
Nonetheless this can be a documentary with a constructive ending. He returned to characterize Australia, superior to the quarterfinals of the AO 2009 in two thrilling nights at Melbourne Park, and in retirement emerged as a revered tennis commentator and home violence advocate.
Dokic is evident about her love and function for telling her story, explaining that if it helps another person face their trauma and transfer previous it, then she has succeeded. And fairly than feeling the comprehensible bitterness and anger after what she endured, Dokic revealed that she selected to strategy her work from a spot of compassion, love and kindness.
“I at all times say, look, you fall down 100 occasions, lose 100 video games or lose 100 occasions in your life, however rise up 101,” he stated.
“On the finish of the day, that is all that issues.”
Unbreakable: The Story of Jelena Dokicoffered by Roadshow Movies and produced by In Movies Pty Ltd, is now exhibiting in chosen cinemas throughout Australia.
