NINA
Writer, Director & Producer – Ravit Markus
Co-Director, Co-Producer & Videographer – Livi Kessel
Editor – Nir Gilat
Videographer – Yonatan Zaid
Additional Videography – Dan Katzir, Iddo Markus
Co-Prodcuer – Janine McGoldrick
Consulting Producer – Mia Schaikewitz
Executive Producer – Barbara Dobkin
Synopsis
Nina Gorodetsky is the Israeli Para-badminton champion who aspires to conquer greater competitive heights while reckoning with the maturation of her body as both a mother and as an athlete approaching her 40th birthday. Her last chance to have another child clashes against her first, and possibly only, opportunity to participate in the upcoming 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Though she is advised by an all male inner circle, it is Nina who must decide if she should get pregnant or continue her rigorous training schedule. But everything changes when the stopwatches of all the world’s athletes come to a screeching halt due to a worldwide pandemic. The documentary film NINA tracks Nina’s exciting three year journey to try and defy the odds and fulfill her Paralympic dream without sacrificing her maternal desires.
Nina Gorodetsky - Biography
Nina Gorodetsky, 40, a native of the country of Georgia, immigrated to Israel with her doctor parents when she was 10. She grew up in a small town in north Israel, and currently lives with her husband, architect Dor Kessel, in Tivon, with their two young sons.
Nina was injured in a car accident at the age of 17 and has been using a wheelchair ever since. Immediately after the rehabilitation, she started swimming professionally and then entered the field of badminton. She quickly became one of the ten best players in the world in singles and one of the three best in the world in mixed doubles.
In addition to her demanding athletic career Nina also works as a counselor in an elementary school, and looks after her parents who by now are dependent on her. The documentary follows three years of her arduous journey towards the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.