Kevin Holdener and his sister Wendy.Picture: Instagram screenshot
Review
SRF’s documentary about Wendy Holdener and her late brother Kevin gets under your skin. These are the most emotional moments.
24.10.2024, 18:5825.10.2024, 13:41
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On February 22, 2024, Kevin Holdener dies at just 34 years old after a long illness.
At the age of 20, a malignant tumor was discovered in the brother of skier Wendy Holdener. What follows is a battle that lasts for years. In the end he dies not of cancer, but of pneumonia.
It is the end of a long story of suffering, not only for Kevin, but also for Wendy, his wife Carmen and the whole family.
Now “SRF DOK” is releasing a moving portrait: “Wendy and Kevin – tied after death.” It can be seen on Thursday evenings on SRF 1 or online.
The documentary was originally Kevin’s idea. Although the director Michael Bühler was not able to shoot a day with him, he made a film that is very exciting.
These are the most emotional scenes.
The beginning
Only the opening scenes of the documentary really get under your skin. Pictures show Kevin in hospital, with a voice message from him to director Michael Bühler playing in the background. Taken the day before his death.
Below are video clips of Kevin canoeing. Scenes of him and Wendy in the car. Then Kevin back in the hospital. The message, spoken in a broken and exhausted voice, is accompanied by music and played in the background:
«I have problems when I breathe. I was diagnosed with pneumonia. In my case that is not good at all. We want to get the pneumonia under control. I hope we do too. But it is very difficult again at the moment. Unpredictable. If it’s not stabilized, then yes, I’ll probably die from it.”
A voice message from Kevin Holdener to director Bühler one day before his death.
Video: srf
The 360 degree videos
It always gets very emotional when clips that Kevin filmed himself are shown. He often traveled with a 360-degree camera, filming himself in Japan and the United States, Italy and the mountains of Switzerland. While skiing and golfing, surfing or jet skiing.
In these reviews you see someone who enjoyed and traveled a lot, someone who enjoyed different sports and far away countries. These moments are scattered over and over in the documentation.
But the camera doesn’t just capture the beautiful moments from his life. There are also very personal shots that show Kevin exhausted in the hospital. As he sits weakly on the bed, has difficulty getting up, fights the pain and cannot smile.
His wife Carmen and the wedding
His wife Carmen is also mentioned several times. The two met and fell in love in Davos, but their relationship was often overshadowed by cancer.
One of the most emotional scenes is when Carmen talks about their marriage shortly before Kevin’s death.
The documentary shows pictures of the wedding from the hospital, as Kevin says yes to his Carmen in a suit, with a breathing tube and in a wheelchair. All important friends and family are there, champagne is served, happy moments in a difficult time.
Always searching for the right words and visibly emotional, Carmen says of the wedding in a heartbreaking tone:
« That was a very nice moment. Emotionally it’s a huge rollercoaster. It was the worst time of my life so far. However, they were still such beautiful moments, which helped the whole thing and still helps looking back that I remember it so fondly.”
Carmen Holdener
The death
In the early morning of February 22 there is no more hope. Kevin is dying. Wendy says:
“We were with him at the hospital this morning. Our brother Steve didn’t make it home, so they FaceTimed and he was able to say goodbye. Five to ten minutes later, after our mother said, ‘Kevin, you can go,’ and Steve said the same, he left.”
At that moment the interview is interrupted. “Maybe we need a break now,” Wendy says into the camera, a sad smile on her face, she can’t hold back her tears anymore.
After his death, Kevin will be buried in Unteriberg in the canton of Schwyz. Pictures capture the family and friends at the grave, sister Wendy and his wife Carmen, mother Daniela and father Martin. You fight the tears and the memories and the pain.
Father Holdener has his opinion, he says calmly and very excitedly:
«I am not feeling well, especially in the morning when I get up. I think about it all the time. I think he is in a nice place now. Why bring in 34 years old? Because you probably want someone who wanted you somewhere else. A good person.”
Vater Martin Holdener
Wendy and the community
The general public was aware of Kevin’s cancer, who was also Wendy’s manager, but his friends, family and closest relatives did not know the exact condition. Kevin’s well-being went up hill many times, but even less often than the hill. It was also a very emotional coastal trip for Wendy in the public eye. She says:
“I never wore a mask in public, I couldn’t always tell the truth.”
Wendy Holdener
With tears in her eyes, she talks about this difficult period when she had more eyes than she would have liked at that moment.
“The media knew for a long time that Kevin had cancer, but many thought he was cured. I could tell those who knew him that he was feeling bad. But otherwise I had no right to say that to the media.”
Wendy Holdener
She explains how the whole thing took a toll on her mentally while still competing and the difficulties of racing in the right frame of mind.
And during training and competitions the question is always asked: Am I in the right place?
At the end of the movie, after Kevin’s death, Wendy returns to him. When asked if skiing is just as important, she says with tears in her eyes:
“Depending on the situation, it could be even more important. Because I don’t have it anymore. And you still have to do something with your time. I know he would be happy.”
The documentary “Wendy and Kevin – bound after death” is shown on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 8:10 pm on SRF 1.
Wendy Holdener podium place
1/9
Wendy Holdener podium place
Wendy Holdener celebrating in Küthai. Success does not come by chance.
source: x00360 / leonhard foeger
Wendy Holdener’s family is very proud
Video: srf
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