Vendée Globe: New documentary film about Boris Herrmann - filming started
Tatjana Pokorny
· 28.09.2023
One year before the starting signal for Boris Herrmann's second participation in the Vendée Globe, filming has begun on a new documentary. The 42-year-old Hamburg native is at the centre of the feature-length, up-close production, which accompanies him on the course to his sixth circumnavigation. The idea for the film is two years old and has matured into a plan that is now being put into action. The first interviews and scenic shoots have already taken place in Brittany in the harbour of La Base and in the area around Lorient.
Multi-award-winning film production in action
The project is backed by gebrueder beetz Filmproduktion, which has produced more than 250 high-quality documentaries, series and cinema documentaries for the national and international market since it was founded in 2000. It is listed by the leading industry magazine "Realscreen" as one of the 200 most important production companies worldwide. Current productions include the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Sky original documentary series "Juan Carlos - Love, Money, Betrayal".
The production company with offices in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Lüneburg has an international reach. The films are regularly screened in competition at major international A-list festivals and have received more than 100 awards, including the Grimme Prize, the Cinema for Peace Award, the International Documentary Award, the Prix Europa, the German Film Prize, the British Independent Award, the Business Film Prize of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and many more.
Doko film premiere expected before the Vendée Globe
gebrueder beetz Filmproduktion stands for committed films, captivating storytelling and a wide range of topics, from gripping crime documentaries to inspiring biographies, spectacular nature and adventure series to contemporary music and cultural productions. Between 12 and 15 documentary films and series are produced each year. One film is now dedicated to Boris Herrmann, his life and his sailing and environmental commitment with Team Malizia.
The filmmakers will follow Boris Herrmann and his team intensively for six months as they prepare for the tenth edition of sailing's toughest round-the-world race. The documentary film is expected to be released before the start of the tenth edition of the leading single-handed race around the world in 2024. The starting signal for the anniversary edition of the Vendée Globe with a new record number of 40 Imocas will be given on 10 November 2024.
Close-up: Boris' comeback at the Vendée Globe
On the way there, Boris Herrmann will start the Transat Jacques Vabre with his co-skipper Will Harris in a month's time on 29 October. Here too, the documentary filmmakers will accompany the skipper and his endeavours. The core of the film, however, is Boris Herrmann's comeback, his renewed acceptance of sailing's greatest challenge.
A reminder: In 2021, Boris Herrmann was the first German to start the Vendée Globe and fulfilled a lifelong dream on a thorny course. Back then, he collided with a fishing boat shortly before the end of the race - with a good chance of a podium finish. The night-time shock, which was watched live by millions of viewers, almost sealed his retirement. But then Boris Herrmann was able to salvage fifth place at the finish. The documentary film will also show how Boris mentally prepares for his Vendée Globe comeback and the renewed solo confrontation with the world's oceans.
