Kevin Hoerner and his sister Wendy.Bild: screenshot instagram
review
SRF's documentary about Wendy Holdener and her late brother Kevin will leave you feeling queasy to your core. These are the most exciting moments.
October 24, 2024 18:58October 25, 2024 13:41
Kevin Holdener passed away on February 22, 2024 at the age of 34 after a long illness.
At the age of 20, the younger brother of skier Wendy Holdner was diagnosed with a malignant tumor. What followed was a battle that lasted for several years. In the end, he died not of cancer but of pneumonia.
It was the end of a long story of hardship, not just for Kevin, but for Wendy, his wife Carmen and the entire family.
Now, “SRF DOK” is releasing a touching portrait: “Wendy and Kevin – a connection beyond death.” It can be watched Thursday evening on SRF 1 or online.
The documentary was originally Kevin's idea. Although director Michael Bueller wasn't able to shoot with him for a day, he made an incredibly moving film.
These are some of the most touching scenes.
start
Only the opening scene of the documentary really pisses you off. The photo shows Kevin in the hospital, with a voice message from him to director Michael Buhler playing in the background. Taken the day before his death.
Below is a video clip of Kevin canoeing. The scene with him and Wendy in the car. Then Kevin returns to the hospital. The message was spoken in a broken, exhausted voice, accompanied by music playing in the background:
«I have problems breathing. It turned out I had pneumonia. As far as I'm concerned, that's not good at all. We want pneumonia to be under control. I hope we will too. But now it's hard again. Unpredictable. If it's unstable, then yes, I could die from it. “
Kevin Holdener left a voice message to director Buhler the day before his death.
Documentary Introduction
Video: srf
360 degree video
It's always exciting when footage of Kevin's own footage is shown. He often travels with his 360-degree camera, taking his own photos in the mountains of Japan, the United States, Italy and Switzerland. While skiing, golfing, surfing or water skiing.
In these retrospectives you will see a man who loves and travels a lot, a man who enjoys all kinds of sports and faraway countries. These moments are sprinkled throughout the doc again and again.
But the camera doesn't just capture the beautiful moments in his life. There are also some very personal shots showing Kevin visibly exhausted in the hospital. He sat limply on his bed, unable to get up, fighting pain and unable to smile.
his wife carmen and the wedding
His wife Carmen has also repeatedly expressed her stance. The two met and fell in love in Davos, but their relationship was often shrouded in the fatal shadow of cancer.
One of the most emotional scenes is when Carmen talks about their wedding shortly before Kevin's death.
The documentary shows photos from the hospital wedding, where Kevin says “yes” to Carmen, who is wearing a suit, a breathing tube and a wheelchair. All important friends and the whole family were there, serving champagne and having a good time during difficult times.
Always searching for the right words and visibly emotional, Carmen spoke of the wedding in heartbreaking tones:
“It was a very beautiful moment. It was a huge roller coaster, emotionally. It was the worst moment of my life that I've ever experienced so far. Still, those beautiful moments are still there and have a huge impact on the whole thing. It helped, and it still helps me to remember it so fondly in retrospect.”
Carmen Holdner
die
In the early morning of February 22, everything was hopeless. Kevin is dying. Wendy said:
“We were actually in the hospital with him all morning. Our brother Steve didn't come home, so they did a video call and he was able to say goodbye. Five or 10 minutes later, our mother said, 'Kevin, can you Go away,' Steve said the same thing and he left.”
Just then, the interview was interrupted. “Maybe we need a break now,” Wendy told the camera with a sad smile on her face as she could no longer hold back the tears.
After his death, Kevin will be buried in Unterberg in canton Schwyz. Photos capture family and friends at the graveside, sister Wendy and wife Carmen, mother Daniela and father Martin. You fight against tears, memories, and pain.
Father Holdner had something to say, and he said it very calmly and touchingly:
«I feel uncomfortable, especially when I get up in the morning. I always think of him. I just think he's in a good place right now. Why bring in a 34-year-old? Because you may need the person you want somewhere else. A good person. “
Fat Martin Holdner
wendy and the public
It was known to the public that Kevin, who was also Wendy's manager, had cancer, but only his closest friends, family and relatives knew the exact condition. Kevin's happiness often goes uphill, but more often it goes downhill. It's also been an extremely emotional rollercoaster for Wendy when she's been in the public eye. She said:
“I've never worn a mask in public, I just can't always tell the truth.”
Wendy Holdner
With tears in her eyes, she recounted the difficult time when more eyes were on her than she could have imagined.
“The media knew for a long time that Kevin had cancer, but many thought he was cured. I could tell those who knew he felt terrible. But beyond that I had no right to tell the media.”
Wendy Holdner
She explained how the whole thing took a toll on her mentally during the competition and the difficulty of going into it with the right mindset.
During training and games, people always ask questions like: Am I in the right position?
At the end of the film, after Kevin's death, Wendy returns here. When asked if skiing was still that important, she said with tears in her eyes:
“Depending on the circumstances, it might even be more important. Because I don't have him anymore. And you still have to do something with your time. I know he'll be happy about it.”
The documentary Wendy and Kevin – A Connection Beyond Death will air on SRF 1 on Thursday 24 October 2024 at 8:10pm.
Podium Position Wendy Hodner
1/9
Podium Position Wendy Hodner
Wendy Holdener celebrates in Kutai. Success is no accident.
Source: x00360/leonhard foeger
Wendy Holdener's family extremely proud
Video: srf
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