WINGMAN PICTURES

Oranges and Lampshade

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:04:00 +0000

The Slackers Guide to Politics: Herman Cain is no Peter Norman

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:48:00 +0000

The Slackers Guide to Politics: Herman Cain is no Peter Norman: His Name Was Peter Norman When Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave a gloved Black Power salute on the Olympic podium in October 1968, Herma...

colin penter: "always keep a diamond in your mind": Mexico Olympics 1968: Peter Norman and an iconic act of political defiance

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:09:00 +0000

colin penter: "always keep a diamond in your mind": Mexico Olympics 1968: Peter Norman and an iconic act of political defiance

Carus Thompson & Band - Bright Star

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 02:27:00 +0000

Strange Thoughts in a Different Country: The athlete who misbehaved

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:31:00 +0000

Strange Thoughts in a Different Country: The athlete who misbehaved: "There are athletes who misbehave and athletes who misbehave. Anyone browsing through the sports pages of any national paper in the last f..."

Zinn Education Project – Elegy for Peter Norman

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:09:00 +0000

Zinn Education Project – Elegy for Peter Norman

Go Into The Story: A studio executive speaks

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:05:00 +0000

Go Into The Story: A studio executive speaks: "Actually he's now an executive at Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment, but Franklin Leonard used to be a director of development at Univers..."

SALUTE - Review from Toronto Sports Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 03:26:00 +0000

Salute

Dir. Matt Norman (2008, Australia, 94 mins.)

The best documentary subjects do not need to be exaggerated; by extension, the best documentary filmmakers choose a compelling subject and tell the story honestly. Lesser documentaries make a great spectacle of one-sided stories, blustering filmmakers, and out of context quotes. Good documentaries, like Salute, eschew all that nonsense. Instead, filmmaker Matt Norman attempts to tell a naturally compelling story in the most complete, honest, and methodical way possible. The result is a film gracefully executed, a portrait lovingly rendered, and a credit to Australian filmmaking.

I suspect that most educated people are familiar with the image of the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute – after all, it is one of the most iconic images of the 1960s and has appeared in textbooks, posters, and even The Simpsons. I also suspect that more than a few people wondered, as I did upon first encountering the image, about the white man standing on the podium who seemed to have stumbled into history. His name is Peter Norman, and his story as chronicled by his nephew in this film (along with the stories of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the American athletes) turns out to be both fascinating and deeply moving. By wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights button in solidarity with his fellow athletes, Peter Norman incurred the wrath of outraged sports officials; four years later, even though he was ranked as the fifth fastest man worldwide for the two hundred meter event, he was barred from attending the Munich Olympics.

The thing I most appreciate about this documentary is that it takes the time – a significant amount of time – to carefully build historical context. It is too easy and misleading to think of historical events in terms of their effects; it is much more worthwhile and essential to understand historical events in terms of their causes. The majority of the film discusses events leading up to the salute – the proposed boycott by black American athletes of the Olympics, the violent riots in Mexico City prior to the games, and the incredible build-up to the two hundred meter race itself. Other critics have superficially criticised the film for taking too much time to build this context. Frankly, I prefer this methodical approach, as opposed to the usual convention of slapping together a stock footage montage of the 1960s – by the way, this image’s appearance in The Simpsons was in a parody of such stock montages.

This is a documentary with resonance. It will spark conversation. It will add depth to an iconic moment in history. From a documentary, we can’t ask much more.

- Dave

To read the review go to:

http://www.soundonsight.org/csff-salute/

Salute The Movie: www.salutethemovie.com – Australian Teaser

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 04:25:00 +0000

Salute The Movie: www.salutethemovie.com – Australian Teaser

Save Leamington Ave ABC1News SYD 14Aug10 Rally

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:59:00 +0000

Council takes up fight for three proud people « Alternative Media Group

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:13:00 +0000

Council takes up fight for three proud people « Alternative Media Group

Inside Film: Film and Television Industry News and Issues for Australian Content Creators - Outspoken Norman expands Wingman Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:28:00 +0000

Inside Film: Film and Television Industry News and Issues for Australian Content Creators - Outspoken Norman expands Wingman Pictures

Wingman Pictures close to closing U.S Feature film deal and also U.K Co-Production deal

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sat, 29 May 2010 06:28:00 +0000

Wingman Pictures has been in talks with two other companies in the U.S and U.K to come on as production company and Matt Norman (CEO) as Producer on two different features being produced in United States and the other across Europe.

Norman is close to signing a deal on both features which feature some high profile A-list talent and will give him the chance to work with some major players in Hollywood and Europe.

Once official, Matt Norman will also announce the partnership of two new members into Wingman Pictures including the opening of a second Wingman Pictures in America.

Stay connected to hear more about this breaking news soon...

Matt Norman Praises "House of numbers"

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:56:00 +0000

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Santa Cruz Festival Juror Matt Norman Praises House of Numbers

Santa Cruz Film Festival Juror Matt Norman weighs in with his reaction following his screening of House of Numbers.

"This film truly demonstrates why documentary film is important. Whether you believe in the conspiracy or not, the filmmaker went out and made a statement. A very dangerous statement that can cause an amazing amount of conversations. This film stands out on its own purely because I was asking questions for over a week with other people about their own thoughts on AIDS. When a filmmaker has the guts to "ASK A QUESTION AGAINST THE NORM" then it's the audience that has to answer that question. The proof was there but still you had to wonder who the scientists were that gave the proof. Which has certainly opened my eyes to ask the question 'What if this film holds the real truth'? For me that makes this my favorite film."

House of Numbers is nominated for Best Documentary. Winners will be announced at the Closing Ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2010.

Visit Matt's site: http://www.wingmanpictures.com/ and check out his award winning film Salute.

Matthew Travis "Matt" Norman is an actor turned filmmaker, best known for his acting work on Australian TV Shows Blue Heelers, Neighbours and Stingers, U.S telemovies Moby-Dick, Silver Strand and Ghost Rider. (Source: Wikipedia)

Harry Gordon and Matt Norman - ABC Darwin - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:30:00 +0000

Harry Gordon and Matt Norman - ABC Darwin - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

DOXA screening of Matt Norman’s documentary SALUTE a success

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:28:00 +0000

DOXA screening of Matt Norman’s documentary SALUTE a success

DOXA Documentary Film Festival wishes to thank all those who came out to see the last in this year’s monthly motion pictures screening of Matt Norman’s documentary film SALUTE a rousing success.

Photo by Carol Browne

The film was well received by the crowd, many of whom stayed after the film for a Q & A session live with director Matt Norman from his home in Australia. There were numerous Olympic related questions, answers and opinions given during the very informative session.

Photo by Carol Browne

SALUTE is about an iconic moment in the US civil rights movement in the form of a black power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. The involvement of the white Australian, Peter Norman, Matt Norman’s Uncle, who was also on the podium that day, was Matt’s inspiration for making the film. As many who talk about that day over 40 years ago have excluded Matt’s uncle from their discussion Matt wanted the story more thoroughly told.

A big thank you to Matt Norman for sharing his film with us and making himself so accessible during the process of making this event happen.

Vancouver Screening of SALUTE

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:26:00 +0000

I just wanted to thank everyone in Vancouver who came to see SALUTE tonight as part of DOXA Film series. What was really amazing was the fact that I got to hear about some of the issues happening in Vancouver during the Winter Olympics. For the purpose of opening this up a little more I encourage those of you who can share that information with us to do so here.

Thank you to those people who stood up to ask questions and to make statements about the Olympic movement. It is people like you who are standing up for all the right reasons. That I thank you for.

The Olympic movement in this day and age does seem to be a very political movement. The Olympic Committee obviously don't want that but in this day and age with the internet and more communication avenues it's becoming a bit concerning that we are still suffering the same issues when ever an Olympic Games comes to town.

Money seems to be the key to this. The Olympic Games continues to make trillions of dollars while society pays for it. Unemployment, Indigenous land rights, homelessness and social affordability should be the number one priority but instead it's about Governments making money and the Olympic Committee not standing up for the very right of the people.

The debate starts here... post with passion. I'd like to hear your voice!!!

Interview with documentary filmmaker Matt Norman director of Salute – part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:50:00 +0000

Interview with documentary filmmaker Matt Norman director of Salute – part 2

Interview with documentary filmmaker Matt Norman director of Salute – part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:09:00 +0000

Interview with documentary filmmaker Matt Norman director of Salute – part 1

'Reel Injun' and 'Salute' - By Dorothy Woodend, The Tyee.ca

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:38:00 +0000

'Reel Injun' and 'Salute' Feeling manipulated by the Olympics' brand boosters? See these two timely documentaries. By: By Dorothy Woodend , 19 February 2010, TheTyee.ca View full article and comments: http://thetyee.ca/ArtsAndCulture/2010/02/19/ReelInjunSalute/ 'Salute' explores famous podium protest at 1968 Games. The sight of entire families wandering around downtown Vancouver decked out in every possible permutation of Olympic-style clothing, grandparents to babies emblemized from stem to stern, everyone glassily smiling like they have drunk deeply of the Kool-Aid. Brrrrr. Forgive me, but I find this type of rabid boosterism unbecoming to Canadians. In the lead up to the Games, it was fine to bitch and complain, but now if you say anything bad about the Olympics in mixed company, people look at you like you might bite them. But even if it can seem as if the entire city has pretty much rolled over and let the Olympics have its way, there are still pockets of good old-fashioned Canadian contrariness.

This resistant spirit is exemplified by two documentaries (Reel Injun and Salute ) opening this week and next. Hail Mary, and pass the popcorn, you can hold the ammunition for now. DOXA Documentary Film Festival's Moving Pictures sports series wraps up with a bang next Thursday Febr. 25 with a screening of Salute .

The film centres on the iconic image from the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City when three men took to the podium to receive their medals for the 200m. Two of the athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, raised their fists into the air, while the third wore a button for Project For Human Rights supporting their cause. Two of the men were black Americans and one was a white Australian by the name of Peter Norman. When you witness an act of courage, it is a rare and singular thing.

It's little wonder that the image of black fists raised in silent protest still reverberates some 42 years later. Paying the price for protest Salute , directed and produced by Peter Norman's nephew Matt Norman, lays out the context for the event in detail, systematically explaining that protests in 1968 were happening all around the globe: from Australia, where the burgeoning Aboriginal Rights movement was echoing the Civil Rights movement in the U.S., to France, where student protests prompted a nation-wide strike.

Into this highly fraught moment dropped the Olympic Summer Games. Perhaps it was destiny that these three very different men were fated to be standing on the podium at that particular time and place. Or as Peter Norman says, "Maybe we were all put on this Earth to do just that."

The one thing that the film makes explicitly clear is that there was a very large price to be paid for speaking out. In the case of Norman, whose time in the 200m still stands as an Australian record, the cost was exclusion from all Olympic activities until the day he died. Despite being one of the fastest men in Australia, Norman was not allowed to compete in the 1972 Summer Games. Even in the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Norman was shunned by organizers.

Both Tommie Smith and John Carlos suffered even greater levels of retribution, one man even losing his wife to suicide. But the fact remains that despite death threats and worse, this trio of men had the courage of their convictions and the strength of character to speak out.

Before his death in 2006 from a heart attack, Peter Norman gave an interview to The Daily Telegraph about the need to speak up and out: "Today there is a whole new generation, but someone still has to stand up and make a statement on behalf of the down-trodden... Once you've earned the right to stand on that podium, you've got that square metre of the world that belongs to you. What you do with it is up to you -- within limits."

Seizing the spotlight

In this most current incarnation of the Olympics, it's hard to imagine any contemporary athlete getting up on the podium and taking such a principled stand. Although gag orders were supposedly issued to different Olympic teams during the Beijing Games, even wearing the colour orange (as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Tibetan monks) proved difficult.

Athletes these days all seem content to toe the party line, smile sweetly and wait for the endorsement deals to roll in. Getting up and telling the world that there's something you don't like, or something you want to change, doesn't come around too often, but it usually seems to starts with an O. The Olympics or the Oscars, for example. The Oscars also have had their fair share of disruption, but none so remarkable as Marlon Brando and Sasheen Littlefeather's speech at the 1973 Academy Awards Ceremony.

The Native Rights movement, like the Civil Rights Movement before it, was at a watershed moment, with the standoff at Wounded Knee. Not permitted to give the whole of Brando's prepared statement, Sasheen Littlefeather was booed by audience members and had to be protected from the fury of a very drunk John Wayne..

The Tyee — 'Reel Injun' and 'Salute'

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:30:00 +0000

The Tyee — 'Reel Injun' and 'Salute'

Writing begins on Scab Girl Asylum

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:45:00 +0000

Matt Norman has again put pen to paper on his next film project. “SCAB GIRL ASYLUM” will be the eighth film with Matt Norman as Writer/Director/Producer. It is a human story strategically targeted to a global audience. The Film is a fast-paced, realistic, emotional film with strong ties to common political issues of our time.

Scab Girl Asylum is a film that delves into one of Australia’s Worst Civil and Human rights claims. Susan became a ward of the State as a baby and went on to be admitted into the worst mental asylum in the country. The Asylum was known for it’s horrific ways in dealing with patients and it’s reputation for cruelty was kept a secret until now.

Drug testing on its patients, rape, abuse and constant death by suicide and mistreatment of it’s patients were the norm. Australia’s ghastly history of children’s orphanages, State institutions and asylums are unlike the closely monitored processes and legislature of today’s providers. Many of these facilities either run by the State, church and independent proprietors failed in their responsibilities delivering abuse, neglect and unwarranted conditions for the wards of that time.

This is the terrifying story of one young girl who became part of the worst abuse in one of the worst Asylums but lived to tell the tale. This is Scab Girl Asylum.

SCAB GIRL ASYLUM - “a sane child in an insane World”.

The Film explores the abuse, exploitation, and abandonment of a young child, who grew up under extraordinary circumstances. The story captures the explicitness of Wards of the State at a time where abuse was rife and “in the best interests of the child” secondary. Scab Girl begs the question, “Could this be true?” and “What else don’t I know?”

Salute subjects in a New Yorker post about Black History Month

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:03:00 +0000

Salute subjects in a New Yorker post about Black History Month

SALUTE sells out in San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:15:00 +0000

Salute had it's San Francisco Screening on the weekend to a packed audience. We have been thrilled by the amazing response coming from the U.S and love the fact that people across America are really loving the film. Next stop - Vancouver 25th Feb, 2010.

SALUTE launches on New Zealand Tv/Cable RIALTO CH25

noreply@blogger.com (Wingman Pictures) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:54:00 +0000

If you live in NEW ZEALAND then make sure you don't miss your first look at Matt Norman's number one documentary SALUTE playing on RIALTO Channel 25.

Screening times:
02/02/10   2:25:PM
03/02/10   4:15:AM
13/02/10 12:25:PM
14/02/10   2:25:AM

SALUTE on NEW ZEALANDS RIALTO CHANNEL 25