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Sports documentary

Rising Phoenix (2020): Cast & Ratings

Rising Phoenix (2020) movie poster

Rising Phoenix is a 2020 sports documentary directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, starring Jonnie Peacock, Tatyana McFadden and Bebe Vio Beatrice. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Eurimages Audentia Award, Honourable Mention at the TIFF 2018. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.

IMDb rating
8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
87
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Rising Phoenix (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genres
Sport , Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rising Phoenix About?

The premise of Rising Phoenix without spoilers.

This inspiring documentary follows the world's top Paralympic athletes as they recount their personal journeys and the profound impact of the Games. Through their stories, the film explores themes of resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome adversity, redefining strength and challenging perceptions about human potential. It showcases the transformative power of sport in breaking down barriers and celebrating the spirit of competition.

Rising Phoenix Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • hero
  • athlete
  • sport history
  • paralympics
  • sports documentary
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Cast & crew

Rising Phoenix Cast

Jonnie Peacock leads the cast, with Tatyana McFadden and Bebe Vio Beatrice. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui

More films directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, best-rated first: McQueen, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story and Alleycats.

Ratings

Rising Phoenix Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rising Phoenix 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 87/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (78).

87 /100

Rising Phoenix Echo Score Breakdown

The documentary excels at presenting an uplifting and well-structured narrative of the Paralympic Games, though some find it slightly generic in its triumphant tone. Many critics praise the film’s meticulous direction and intimate athlete profiles, highlighting its engaging pacing and cohesive visual design. Viewers particularly respond to the emotional resonance of the personal stories, even as a few note a lack of deeper exploration of daily struggles. Overall, the film achieves a compelling celebratory portrait with lasting inspirational appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 92

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers polished direction and thoughtful visual composition. Critics highlight elegant production design and measured editing that sustains momentum across its 105-minute runtime. The cinematography uses an understated color palette that complements the documentary’s tone, while sound mixing remains clear and balanced. Overall, the craft elements reinforce a cohesive presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, the intimate athlete profiles offer strong emotional resonance. Reviewers note that personal interviews and close-up footage evoke empathy and highlight resilience. The film celebrates its subjects without labeling, allowing their determination to drive the narrative. While a few critics mention limited attention to daily hardships, the overall portrayal fosters genuine engagement with the individuals.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative provides a clear historical overview and engaging pacing. Observers praise its comprehensive coverage of the Paralympic Games’ origins and evolution, punctuated by personal anecdotes. However, a few voices describe the structure as somewhat generic, focusing heavily on triumphalism. Nonetheless, the documentary maintains coherence and emotional momentum throughout its runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film applies an evocative soundtrack and refined sound design to complement its visuals. The music selection underscores key emotional beats, while the balanced mixing ensures dialogue remains prominent. Visually, the documentary employs consistent framing and color continuity. Though not overly stylized, the overall sensory palette supports the storytelling effectively.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    In terms of rewatch factor, the inspirational stories and solid narrative encourage repeated viewings. Audiences appreciate returning to athlete profiles and historical segments that reveal nuanced details over time. The film’s motivational tone and structured pacing enhance its lasting appeal, though some may find the generic celebratory angle limits fresh insights on subsequent viewings. Overall, it offers reliable replay value.

Awards

Rising Phoenix Awards & Nominations

Rising Phoenix earned 1 award nomination, including Eurimages Audentia Award, Honourable Mention at the TIFF 2018.

1 nomination1 ceremony

  • Toronto International Film Festival logo
    TIFF 2018 1 nomination
    • Nominated Eurimages Audentia Award, Honourable Mention
Videos

Rising Phoenix Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 2 trailers and 3 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Audio Description]
  • Featurette Official Lyric Video
  • Featurette Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Joins Rising Phoenix Athletes to Discuss The Power of Sport - Full Length
  • Featurette Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Rising Phoenix Stars Talk The Power of Sport
Details

Rising Phoenix Also Known As

31 alternative titles, including “Paralimpik Oyunları'nın Hikayesi” and “Rising Phoenix: la storia delle Paralimpiadi”.

Also known as
  • Paralimpik Oyunları'nın Hikayesi
  • Rising Phoenix: la storia delle Paralimpiadi
  • Rising Phoenix: Historien om Paralympics
  • Zrození fénixe
  • 帕奧精神:鳳凰高飛
  • De paralympiske lege – handicap, diversitet og menneskeligt potentiale
  • Rising Phoenix: Historia de los Juegos Paralímpicos
  • La extraordinaria historia de los Juegos Paralímpicos
  • Comme des phénix : L'esprit paralympique
  • 残奥精神:梦想高飞
  • Pódio para Todos
  • 불사조
+19 more
  • 비상하다
  • Αναδυόμενος Φοίνικας
  • A feltámadó főnix
  • Anka Yükseliyor: Paralimpik Oyunları'nın Hikâyesi
  • עוף החול
  • Подобно фениксу: история Паралимпийских игр
  • تحليق طائر الفينيق
  • 殘奧 2020:鳳凰展翅
  • 残奥精神:凤凰高飞
  • Duh feniksa
  • Nouseva feeniks
  • Phönix aus der Asche
  • ライジング・フェニックス: パラリンピックと人間の可能性
  • Som føniks fra asken
  • Jak feniks
  • Fénix Renascida: A História dos Paralímpicos
  • Renăscând din cenușă: Istoria Jocurilor Paralimpice
  • พาราลิมปิก: จิตวิญญาณแห่งฟีนิกซ์
  • Phượng hoàng tung bay: Tinh thần Paralympic

Seen Rising Phoenix?

FAQ

Rising Phoenix FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Rising Phoenix, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rising Phoenix?

Rising Phoenix runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Rising Phoenix released?

Rising Phoenix was released on August 26, 2020.

Who directed Rising Phoenix?

Rising Phoenix was directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui.

More films by Ian Bonhôte

Who is in the cast of Rising Phoenix?

Rising Phoenix stars Jonnie Peacock, Tatyana McFadden and Bebe Vio Beatrice, among 4 credited actors.

How is Rising Phoenix rated?

Rising Phoenix has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 82% on TMDB.

Was Rising Phoenix nominated for any awards?

Rising Phoenix received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Rising Phoenix have a post-credit scene?

No. Rising Phoenix has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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