Headwinds

A countdown accompanies Daniele Cassioli towards the water-skiing world championship in California. Equipment is prepared by the lake, runs are practised and the distance to the ramp is measured again. In Headwinds, Manuel Camia follows the blind athlete as he prepares for what the film presents as the last major competition of his career.

The journey towards the event also includes an ankle injury and a cautious return to training. The documentary observes both the work on the water and the daily moments around it, giving Cassioli room to speak about discipline, competitive anger and the limits other people place on him. His account looks beyond easy formulas about overcoming difficulty to the particular circumstances of a life and a sport.

Alongside the athlete is the founder of Real Eyes Sport: the film accompanies him in activities with children and young people, showing how guidance, play and practice can create opportunities for greater independence. The relationship between the person teaching and those trying something for the first time takes the story beyond the result of a competition.

Photographs, objects and conversations also introduce the memory of his brother Davide and the place of family ties in Daniele’s life. Moving between sporting preparation and these encounters, Headwinds builds a portrait across the water, family life and work shared with a younger generation. The Italian documentary is directed by Manuel Camia and runs for approximately 30 minutes.