Documentary about gay athletes secretly filmed at Sochi Olympics

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A documentary about the lives of gay athletes was secretly filmed at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia, it has been revealed.

Documentary ‘To Russia With Love’ will be fronted by gay figure skater Johnny Weir, who will serve as interviewer as he chronicles generations of gay athletes.

The documentary will also feature Stephen Fry, alongside gay basketball star Jason Collins, snowboarders Belle Brockhoff and Simona Meiler, speed skaters Anastasia Bucsis and Blake Skjellerup, tennis legend Billie Jean King, diver Greg Louganis, and ice hockey player Charline Labonté, among others.

According to the website, the film – which will premiere on EPIX in October – “examines human rights through the lens of LGBT athletes”, and follows the athletes in the run-up to and during the Sochi Olympics, as outrage over Russia’s anti-gay laws grew.

Director Noam Gonick did not have the consent of Russian officials for the parts of the film shot in Sochi, which was conducted in secret to protect the athletes taking part.

Filming also took place in New York, Calgary, Toronto, St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Several of the people involved in the film had claimed they would not protest in Russia prior to the event, with Weir saying he planned to “respect the culture”, and Brockhoff indicating she would not mount a protest.

EPIX CEO Mark Greenberg said: “As gay athletes’ fight for equality continues to gain momentum, EPIX is proud to provide a platform for this important global conversation.”

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