The Secret Marathon which features local marathon runner Martin Parnell, will be hitting the big screen with the world premiere on Sept. 22 with Cinefest Sudbury and then again on Oct. 4 with the Edmonton International Film Festival.
"When the first Afghan woman stood up for her freedom and ran in the Marathon of Afghanistan, she started a movement for equality that spread around the world. Zainab’s story inspired legendary marathon runner, Martin Parnell, to imagine what his life might be like if his gender prevented him from going outside to run," the film-group said in a statement on the website. "Parnell vowed to run in the Marathon of Afghanistan the following year to support Zainab, and partnered with filmmaker and first time marathoner, Kate McKenzie, to tell the story. To avoid making the marathon a target for terrorist attack, they must train, and travel to Afghanistan in secret, where they will uncover unexpected beauty, incredible hardships, and the amazing people who stand for change. This is the story of the brave Afghan women who are risking it all for the freedom to run."
"It's been an amazing journey," Parnell said of the process to make this film. "Back in 2016, through some help from Viiz Communications we managed to take a film crew with us (a camera and sound person) and shot 11 days of film with the Afghan women and girls running the marathon and it was amazing. The girl who inspired me to be there, Zainab, unfortunately couldn't be there so I ended up running a young woman named Kubra and it became the heart of the film and it really shows the strength of these girls. They get called all sorts of names for running in these marathons but nothing will stop them from doing what they want to do."
While Parnell and the crew are working hard to bring the documentary to Calgary, if those are interested in attending the Edmonton International Film Festival, you can get tickets for $15 at www.edmontonfilmfestival.com.
