Heading to digital in just under a week is the superb bodybuilding documentary Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story, a feature that tells the story of one of the sport’s greatest.
The film is directed by Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo and The Union: The Business of Getting High filmmaker Brett Harvey who delves into the remarkable life and career of Phil Heath, the multiple-time Mr. Olympia champion. In 2017, Harvey was called upon to document a historic moment in Heath’s life as he went for a recording-breaking eighth title in the prestigious bodybuilding tournament.
Related: Bodybuilding documentary ‘Breaking Olympia’ sets release date
Using archive footage from Heath’s early years when he was a prosperous college basketball player, through to his change of path into the world of bodybuilding, Harvey’s film takes us through to the present day and the eve of Heath’s attempt to become the greatest the sport has ever seen.
“I love people who dominate sports. I’m fascinated by it and Phil Heath is the Lebron James, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan giant of the sport.”
Dwayne Johnson executive produces and features in the film, alongside bodybuilding figures like Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, Kai Greene, Brandon Curry, and Dexter Jackson. It’s a remarkable glimpse into the world of elite athleticism; a sport that puts Heath deservedly at the absolute top. I caught up with Brett Harvey earlier this week to talk about the film ahead of its release on the digital format.
We talk about the film’s conception seven years ago, how the structure changed as filming progressed, the bodybuilding sport and its growing popularity and how the filmmaker conceives his documentary projects.
Watch our Brett Harvey interview in full below.
Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story is available to buy and rent on digital in the UK from 25th March.
