Threshold
Description
In what was the most extraordinary year in American cross-country ski racing history, two athletes confront relentless mental and physical adversity to rise to the top of this European-dominated sport.
Overview
Threshold introduces the captivating sport of cross-country ski racing, that demands the utmost physical endurance and mental resilience– where athletes regularly collapse from exhaustion at finish lines. This documentary, told over the course of a year on the road, explores the world of cross-country ski racing through the lives of two exceptional athletes and their underdog team.
With unprecedented access to the US team during the 2023-24 season, directors Torsten and Lars captured a raw and intimate view of the most impressive athletes in the world. Anchored by a focus on mental health, Threshold makes this niche sport accessible and engaging to a broad audience, leading up to the 2026 Olympic Games.
Main Characters
- Jessie Diggins: A charismatic leader and the most decorated American skier ever takes advantage of her grit and superhuman pain tolerance. However, during her late teens, while transitioning to professional ski racing, Jessie developed an eating disorder. The toll of this mental illness weighs on her, as it resurfaces prior to the season.
- Ben Ogden: Known as the American patriot of cross-country skiing, Ben has turned heads in Europe with his exceptional sprinting abilities and an endearing and quirky personality. After losing his father in the summer, Ben grapples with grief while he fights to perform at the highest level, far from home.
Threshold is more than a sports documentary; it’s a powerful narrative about the human spirit, resilience, and striving for greatness. By shedding light on both mental and physical challenges in the sport, Threshold aims to resonate with both sports enthusiasts and a broader audience.
Torsten Brinkema
Director, Executive Producer, Cinematographer
Torsten Brinkema is a filmmaker, born in Minnesota, and currently residing in Brooklyn, New York. His fascination with the delicate balance between people and environment has manifested in award-winning films, still photography, and sculpture. With two award-winning passion films and four years of ski racing at Colby College under his belt, Torsten set his sights on combining his love for sliding on snow with a long-form project in which he could realize his full vision. He convinced his brother Lars to join him for a year on the road with the US Ski Team. Torsten’s experience racing alongside the best skiers in the US, coupled with his empathy and desire to share these stories with the world, has turned Threshold into a journey he never could have imagined.
Lars Brinkema
Director, Producer, Cinematographer
Raised in Minneapolis, Lars found his passion in photo and video journalism, documenting the aftermath of the George Floyd murder. Witnessing firsthand the unjust representation of the protest movement sparked the idea of his first film I Pray, an award-winning short documentary about the Minneapolis community’s resilience and uniting for justice. Lars went on to study film production at Loyola Marymount. Lars is driven to create authentic and impactful work through film and photography.
Patrick Dempsey
Producer
Born in Lewiston, Maine, Patrick Dempsey is an actor and race car driver, best known for his role as neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd in Grey’s Anatomy. As a lifelong skier and fan of the sport, Patrick jumped at the opportunity to produce with the Brinkema Brothers.
Brinkema Brothers: Growing up in the city of Minneapolis, brothers Lars and Torsten founded their production company Brinkema Brothers in 2021 with the idea of creating a platform for authentic storytelling in outdoor sports. With a background in competitive skiing and film, Lars and Torsten recognized they were as well positioned as anyone to tell the story of American cross-country ski racing. They have devoted this past year to documenting every facet of the lives of those who represent the US Ski Team. From flying down hills at 30 mph with cameras in hand, to intimate moments with athletes on the road, Torsten and Lars have covered this sport in new and innovative ways and reimagined the tenets of sports documentary.
Website: https://www.brinkemabrothers.com/