Marathoner Abebe Bikila, the first black African to win an Olympic gold, ran his gold medal marathon barefoot. Impressive, sure, but Bikila’s story becomes truly remarkable following an accident that leaves him unable to walk. From Bikila’s early Olympic triumphs that made him a national hero, to the aftermath of the accident that left him unable to walk, Bikala’s determination never wavers. The Athlete is a well-crafted character study couched in a compelling sport biopic. In Bikila’s struggles to redefine his life after the accident, the film thoughtfully considers the meaning of the drive to compete. Switching between archival footage of the real Abebe Bikila and breathtaking scenes starring Ethiopian Rasselas Lakew, the film’s visual metaphors cements this film in the runner’s movie pantheon. This well-acted and strikingly photographed true story will come as a welcomed tribute to those who know Bikila’s story, and as an unforgettable introduction to those who do not.