Town of Runners (2011)

Director Jerry Rothwell

In Bekoji, Ethiopia, running is a way of life. Over the past two decades this small, rural town has been the unlikely home to numerous Olympic champion long-distance runners, whose athletic success has paved the way for young Ethiopians searching for a better life. Among the current group training under renowned coach Sentayehu Eshetu (whose protégé Derartu Tulu was the first African woman to win Olympic gold) are Alemi and Hawii, two teenage girls looking to set themselves apart from their teammates in Bekoji and move on to compete at the national level. Capturing the seasonal rhythms of this farming region and the gradual impact of urbanization with a keen artistic eye, TFF award winner Jerry Rothwell (Donor Unknown) follows these two young track hopefuls as they face the challenge of growing up and striving for greatness in a developing nation. The result is a lyrical portrait of Ethiopia seen through the hopes and ambitions of a generation determined to make a brighter future for themselves and their country. - Ian Hollander / Tribeca Film Festival 2012