GLORY GAME The Joost van der Westhuizen Story c: 083 444 1880 2nd Floor, 139 Greenway Road, Greenside, JHB. odette@blinkpictures.net www.blinkpictures.net Co Reg: 2013/202846/07
Cruel Fate has no favourites when it chooses victims; tragedy can strike anyone. Former South African Springbok captain, Joost van der Westhuizen is no stranger to the spotlight. From fame on the rugby field to his fall from grace amid rumours and deceit, his life has been public property. Now he tackles a crippling disease which has no regard for his past triumphs, and again he lays himself bare to the world fighting for survival, for his family and for others affected by Motor Neuron Disease. In the face of death, Joost discovers his humanity. A compelling tale of redemption set against the backdrop of rugby glory, Glory Game is the story of a modern day warrior forced to face his own human frailty. He shows us that beyond ambition, success and fame lies the true wealth of family and friends, and that within a ravaged body can surge the spirit of a survivor. THIS IS JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN S STORY. It could be your wake-up call 1
There are two things people take for granted everyday: time and health. When you lose that. Then you wake up. - Joost van der Westhuizen 2
SYNOPSIS Known for years as the golden boy of SA rugby, the world reeled in shock in April 2011 when the news broke that Joost van der Westhuizen had been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). The disease attacks the central nervous system, causing progressive disability. There is no known cure. THE PROGNOSIS IS DEATH. Anyone who s seen Joost in action will know that he s not one to give up without a fight. His game-changing prowess as a rugby player is now galvanised in a battle for survival and, more importantly, to make a difference to the lives of others with the disease. Despite specialist assurances that he d be in a wheelchair in a year and not likely see his 42th birthday, Joost not only celebrated in style, but took to the skies, travelling internationally with his J9 Foundation to meet the great minds who are working to find a cure. In the UK he visited the University of Edinburgh s Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease. He had an audience with MND Patron HRH Princess Anne and teamed up with former rugby rival, Scott Hastings of the British Lions, who is now also a patron in the fight against the disease. In the US he met former football star and fellow MNDwarrior Steve Gleason, and participated in clinical studies conducted by the world s most renowned researchers into MND. The next leg took the team to Australia for more highlevel meetings and research. In the beginning you go through all the emotions and you ask, Why me? It s quite simple, Why not me? If I have to go through this to help future generations, why not me? he says. His acceptance of his symptoms is equally pragmatic. One day you can t move your arm, another day you don t have speech. Every day you are reborn and you take the day as it comes. Joost s quest for a cure is relentless and his spirit has motivated those around him to champion the cause because in spite of the adversity he has faced, Joost remains a man to envy. 3
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR Listed among the 40 most influential people in South African media under 40, Producer/Director, Odette has 17 years experience in directing and producing award-winning television. Co-owner of Bl!nk Pictures, Odette has specialized skills in all aspects of production technical; creative and business. She has applied these skills with success to hundreds of productions for local and international clients. A formidable investigative journalist, Odette s work has exposed abuse and corruption; changed laws and put people behind bars. Through Blink Pictures Odette continues to contribute to current affairs and investigative programming, while developing long form documentaries for international release. Storytelling is her passion, her purpose. Odette s reputation in the industry has earned her positions on the judging panels of the South African Film and Television Awards (2010) as well as the International Emmy Awards (2012). Maecenas eu pharetra orci. In et nibh gravida, pulvinar mauris ac, suscipit diam. Maecenas sit amet sem iaculis, rhoncus ante et, elementum magna. Vestibulum interdum convallis magna. Vivamus id laoreet magna. Donec rutrum libero non lorem ornare interdum. Morbi pharetra vitae ligula consequat porta. Nunc tristique lobortis arcu, sed placerat nisl sagittis id. Vestibulum fermentum turpis ante, sed dapibus diam fermentum at. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos 4
FILMOGRAPHY 2014 Spel van Glorie / Glory Game: The Joost van der Westhuizen Story (Feature-length Documentary) AWARDS Odette has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including: the CCN African Journalist of the Year (television); the Taco Kuiper Award for investigative journalism: the USA / South African Health Journalist of the Year; the SAB environmental Journalist of the Year and the WWB legal Journalist of the Year. For a detailed list go to: http://backyardtelevision.co.za/?page_id=1133 Odette was the co-owner of Backyard Productions from 2005 2013 www.backyardtelevision.co.za 5
CAST & CREW Director Executive Producers Joost van der Westhuizen Co-producers Michael Yelseth John Webb H.R.H kyknet Executive Producers Jan du Plessis Karen Meiring Anneke Villet Participants Joost van der Westhuizen Jordan van der Westhuizen Kylie van der Westhuizen Amor Vittone Gustav van der Westhuizen (Snr) Mariana van der Westhuizen Pieter van der Westhuizen Marijke van der Westhuizen Jaco van der Westhuizen Ruan van der Westhuizen Morné van der Westhuizen Juwan van der Westhuizen Gustav van der Westhuizen (Jnr) Sonja van der Westhuizen Marlize van der Westhuizen Leandri van der Westhuizen Dr Henry Kelbrick Matt Dawson Kyran Bracken Dan Retief John van Rensburg Austin Healey Rupert Moon Andy Gomarsall Scott Hastings Gavin Hastings David Thorpe Dr Erik P Pioro, MD, DPhil (Oxon), FRCPC George Gregan Justin Marshall Prof. Syed Haq Craig Muder Bill Francis Francois Pienaar Hennie le Roux Joel Stransky Ruda Landman Corné Krige Gary Teichman Adrian Garvey Tinus Linee Diane Linee Lucky Surprise Manganye Maria Manganye Tshepo Somo Rerando Debsy Somo John Manganye Bertha Manganye Dorah Mokwena Dr Hiroshi Mitsumoto, MD, DSc Steve Gleason Dr Franclo Henning Prof. Siddharthan Chandran Euan MacDonald Finlay MacDonald Alec MacDonald Heyneke Meyer Jean de Villiers Dr Nazem Atassi, MD, MMSc Dr Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD, MSc Cast Franco Booysens - Adult Joost Liam Schwegler - 5-year-old Joost Christian Schwegler - 7-year-old Pieter Riley Schwegler - 2-year-old Gustav Jarod Smith - 7-year-old Joost Donovan Lottering - 15-year-old Joost Richard Pinkney - 18-year-old Joost Journalists John Webb Ruda Landman Production manager Helen Potter Directors of Photography Michael Yelseth Ian Miller Natalie Haarhoff Thomas Pretorius Field directors Bernadette Cook Research John Webb Nicky Troll Helen Potter 6
Cameras Toby Harris Bruce Cunningham Johan Oosthuizen Jonathan Price Andrew Court Lee Mander Scott Richardson Sound Zamokhule Mkhize Mzukisi Mtshiselo Matt Kokkinn Andre Feldmann Camera assistant Jo Savva Translators Ruda Landman Robert Makomeme Store manager William Masilo Production assistants Jenny Hastings - Edinburgh, Scotland Clare Duret - New Orleans, USA Jenny Richardson - Sydney, Australia Annie Weston - Queenstown, New Zealand Shannon Zinn - New York Nicholas Leydon - Boston Stephanie Roche - Boston Editors Jan Potgieter Sharron Hawkes Online Editors Jan Potgieter Petri Kleynhans Technical Viewings Postmasters Final mix Janno Müller Sound design Janno Müller DCP Mastering: Refinery Original music: Mr. Number 9 Sumi Botha Folsom Prison Blues Composed and performed by Johnny Cash Writer Brigitte Billings Graphic design Lisa Walters Ronel Visagie Photography David Gibson Animation Bugbox Animation Production accountant Helen Potter Production insurance Hanlie Carstens Travel agent Jeannine Vickerman Legal adviser Paul Jacobson 5
SPECIAL THANKS SARU Ian Schwartz De Jongh Borchardt South African Rugby Legends Tanya Harvey AVIS Rent a Car Bronwen Shaw 8
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND THE VENUES THAT HOSTED US. Director: Afrikaans Channels M-Net Karen Meiring Manager: Production Christel Sampson Marketing and Publicity Jeanne de Wet Maryke Allers Leo Smit Suzaan Keyter Brigitte Billings Website and Social Media Lindi Herbst Marieke Snyman DStv Media Sales Fanie Terblanche Nazeem Abrahams Louise Wessels Venues South Africa Coco Bongo Ellispark Stadium Gold Reef City Loftus Versfeld Stadium The Table Bay Hotel The Springbok Rugby Museum Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Castle Murrayfield Stadium The University of Edinburgh The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research The Preston Hotel Watsonian Rugby Club The Hastings Room London: The Le Grange, St Paul s talk Sport Studios United States: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Columbia University, New York The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MND/ALS Research Centre, New York New Orleans Saints, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Australia The Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney New Zealand APL Property Queenstown Limited New Zealand Wakapitu Rugby Club 9
TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE THANK YOU Michael Yelseth Gavin Varejes Sheila McGillivray Greg Peters Scott Hastings TO JOOST AND THE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN FAMILY THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US WITH YOUR STORY. Mr Number 9 was composed and performed by Joost s cousin Sumi Botha 10
c: 083 444 1880 2nd Floor, 139 Greenway Road, Greenside, JHB. odette@blinkpictures.net www.blinkpictures.net Co Reg: 2013/202846/07