VERDICT: Lasse Linder’s equine documentary is a quite portrait of a champion thoroughbred – a behind the scenes peek that is meditative though never profound.
The cargo holds of planes feature heavily in Air Horse One.
This is, after all, a non-fiction film about the life of an elite-level show jumping horse, Legacy, who is ferried around the world for competitions and photo shoots. Linders’ film feels primarily intrigued by the way that Legacy is treated as an A-list celebrity, living a life of chartered flights and photoshoots, but the film also verges into more interesting territory as a portrayal of labour and isolation, even if the film never quite manages to find a way to land this insight.
What is certainly true is that Linder keeps the footage of Legacy fairly restricted to downtime. From shots of trees swaying through the stable door, to a bit of light exercise on a treadmill and the aforementioned airborne journeys in which Legacy is chartered around Europe attending glamourous events. Aside from a few still photographs of Legacy and a rider elegantly vaulting a fence, the closest we get to the arena itself are some choice moments backstage before the rapturous applause.
It’s difficult while watching the film not to bring to mind that genre of film that explores the loneliness and ennui of celebrity. At one point Legacy’s owner observes “what a privileged life my girl leads” while laying out an itinerary that goes from Belgium to Switzerland, before taking in Dublin, Windsor, Barcelona and Paris. However, the in the quotidian we are perhaps invited to reflect on that supposition. A brief interlude with a dog hints at a stranger and deeper direction never fully committed to, but Air Horse One is compelling viewing all the same.
Director, screenplay: Lasse Linder Producer: Philipp Ritler
Cinematography: Robin Angst
Editing: Daniel Loepfe
Music: Moritz Widrig
Sound: Jean-Francoise Levillain Production company: Dynamic Frame GmbH (Switzerland)
Venue: International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (Competition for Short Documentary) In English 21 minutes
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