Where can I obtain (rent or purchase) a copy of this 2002 French/Swiss
indie film?  It has been shown in the U.S., but I haven't been able to
find listings among commercially available media at consumer prices.

Thank you,
Archae0pteryx

Hi,

According to this website the movie isnt available in the US yet, if I
have interpreted the last sentence right..........

Strong Shoulders
AKA: Des Épaules Solides
2002, 96 minutes, French with English subtitles. Under the supervision
of Swiss-French director Ursula Meier comes the story of 15-year-old
Sabine, played by Louis Szpindel, whose one single goal in life is to
win. She attends a special training camp for athletes where she races
in the 400 meters event, although she would move up to the 800 meters
if it where not for her coach who believes she must master the 400
first. Her drive is to the point of obsession and as a viewer you
question if this young woman has the emotional and physical health to
withstand the demands she places on herself. With a five week build to
the championship event, this film does not provide you a typical
finale as most predictable sport films. A cameo appearance is made by
Olympic gold medallist Marion Jones, who is shown warming up in a
corridor, as a symbol to Sabine of all that she stides for as she
tries to be her best in the context to her coach, fellow athletes,
friends, family, and above all else her relationship to herself. This
film was nominated for Best Picture in Switzerland in 2004 and brought
home half a dozen awards from film festivals in 2003. This production
has yet to obtain a distributor in the United States.
http://www.runningmovies.com/s.htm

Anne-Marie

http://www.swissfilms.ch/detail_f.asp?PNr=-1214147893

while it is a swiss production it doesnt even seem available on DVD in Switzerland

http://www.swissdvdrental.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=des+epaules+solides&x=6&y=7
http://www.bol.ch/shop/boc_fil_startseite/schnellsuche/film/?fc=FILM_TITEL&fq=des+epaules+solides&submit.x=9&submit.y=9&submit=search

hope this helps.........

Hi archae0opteryx,

I sent an e-mail to the swiss "bol.com" store and the woman answering told me that 
neither of their suppliers have the film available.

Guten Tag

Vielen Dank für Ihre Anfrage.

Leider kann ich nur sehr schlecht Englisch, weshalb ich Ihnen in Deutsch
antworte.

Den Film "des epaules solides" können wir leider bei keinem unserer
Lieferanten bestellen. Es tut mir leid, dass ich Ihnen kein Angebot machen
kann und bitte Sie um Verständnis.

Freundliche Grüsse und einen schönen Tag wünscht Ihnen

Sonja Dennenmoser

Anne-Marie

Why, thank you, Anne Marie.  I believe you have answered my question
as much as it can be answered.  When I saw showings of this film
listed in the U.S., such as at a film festival on a college campus in
Minnesota, I figured it must be available in the States.  But if
there's no U.S. distributor, I'm not going to find it available for
purchase.  (Thank you especially for your inquiry to the Swiss company
and for posting their reply!)  So--I guess I'll just check sources
again in another year or so.

So--you saved me a fee.  Thank you!  I do not like to deprive the
designated researchers of their earnings, but in this case there was
not going to be an answer.  So can I treat you to a question?

Thanks,
Archae0pteryx

Why, thank you for your kind offer archae0opteryx!!!

Yes, you can treat me to a question, though I have experienced that
questions on "computer issues" arent the easiest one to
answer.........

What I did was format the C-drive of another computer that was
completely stuck. (that is you could push the start button and the
Windows 98 programm  would load etc. but clicking on either one of the
icons on the desktop wouldnt load the program required)
The owner of the computer reckons that the computer was stuck due to
some kind of virus. (Trojan Horse?)

The issue is that the installation CD-rom Windows 98 starts running, but
after it has prepared the wizard Windows 98 Setup to help me through the
rest of the installation proces ( the blue sign underneath gives a 100% done
"message"),  a huge black space comes across this installation message and
computer stops running the CD-rom; so it is stuck again!!!!

> Could it be that the computer is damaged due to the virus
beyond repair?

Thanks,

Anne-Marie

Done, Anne-Marie.  Please see #481006.  You can administer that one
through the comments section and let me know when you consider it
answered satisfactorily.  I'll close this one now.

Archae0pteryx