Raised in a farming community, Haile faces many hardships common to anyone in his situation. His true joy seems to come in running, when even as a youngster he began running up to 12 miles each day just to get back and forth to school. When the 1980 Moscow Olympics were aired on radio, Haile was captivated as the nation cheered Miruts Yifter, winner and fellow countryman participating in the 10,000 meter race. Perhaps this is what inspired him. Ironically, his first major race found him in the very back of the pack.
Endurance is an inspiring film.
With actual footage from the Atlanta games, this docudrama takes us to a realistic cross-cultural setting. Aside from English, the local dialects of Ethiopia are used in this film, with subtitles in the appropriate places. Traditional beliefs mixed with forms of Christianity are common throughout Africa and in many other cultures as well. I understand that there is some brief nudity due to a cultural difference in modesty and dress, but I don't recall anything other than of National Geographic fare. I recommend this non-offensive docudrama for young and old alike.