UNBOUND is a 13-minute documentary short made in Italy and directed by Andrea Longhin. It focuses on powerlifting, telling a story of sport, identity and inclusion through the eyes of Hind, the first Italian athlete authorised to compete in national competitions wearing a hijab.
The documentary follows Hind’s sporting and emotional journey. Through her determination, this young woman challenges cultural and regulatory barriers in a discipline usually underrepresented from female and religious perspectives. The story unfolds through training sessions and official competitions, highlighting not only the physical demands of powerlifting but also the bureaucratic and symbolic obstacles the athlete faces.
Hind appears as herself in the film, making the documentary an authentic portrait of her experience. The narrative is built around her voice, gestures and commitment, offering a glimpse of sport becoming a means of self-determination and change.
UNBOUND conveys a powerful message of emancipation, resilience and social progress. Through Hind’s story, it reflects on sport’s power to break down stereotypes and foster a more inclusive environment where personal identity is not an obstacle to participation.
Produced in Italy on a modest budget of 3,000 euros, the documentary is an independent, professional, non-student project. Completed on 30 November 2024, it belongs to the landscape of sports cinema as a significant example of social storytelling linked to competitive sport.
Film Information
Title: UNBOUND
Original title: UNBOUND
Director: Andrea Longhin
Production: Andrea Longhin
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Running time: 13 minutes and 12 seconds
Genre: Documentary
Sport featured: Powerlifting
Protagonist(s): Hind
Completion date: 30 November 2024
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not specified]
Shooting format: 2.35, colour
Director’s first film: No
Student project: No