Freestyle Digital Media, a digital film distributor and part of Allen Media Group led by Byron Allen, has acquired the North American VOD distribution rights to the documentary film “Because They Believed.” The film, directed by Steven C. Bernier, features interviews with athletes who broke racial barriers and is set for release on February 2nd.
The film includes interviews and appearances by American track stars John Carlos and Tommie Smith, who famously raised their fists with black gloves during the medal ceremony for the 200-meter race at the 1968 Olympics to protest racial discrimination. They remained in symbolic captivity until the event concluded, despite the threat from the International Olympic Committee to exclude the entire U.S. track and field team from the games.
Other sports legends featured in the documentary include baseball star Dusty Baker, who won the World Series as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers and as a manager with the Houston Astros, becoming the most successful African American manager in MLB history. The film also highlights Tae Yun Kim, the first woman to be named a taekwondo master; Herbert Carnegie, one of the first black hockey players who faced racism in the 1940s and was honored with a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022; and Raymond Chester, who led the Morgan State University American football team to three undefeated seasons before winning the Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders.
“Working on ‘Because They Believed’ with Arif Khatib has been an incredible experience for me,” said Bernier. “His extensive collection of archival materials spanning decades of interviews with professional athletes is impressive. Our cast and crew have dedicated themselves to telling their stories and bringing this film to life, and we are excited to share this film with the world!”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the acquisition rights for the film “Because They Believed” with Alex Nohe of Blood Sweat Honey.
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