Courtney Cushing Kiernat is the staff photographer for the Hill & Lake Press. She lives in Kenwood.
Growing up near Bde Maka Ska, brothers Torsten and Lars Brinkema never imagined their love of Nordic skiing would eventually lead to their first feature-length film streaming on Peacock. Their documentary, Threshold: The Untold Story of Jessie Diggins, debuted on Feb. 23 and chronicles the rise of the most accomplished cross-country skier in United States history.
A Local Path to a National Story
Torsten and Lars, both in their early twenties, merged their lifelong connection to skiing with a growing talent for filmmaking. During the 2023–24 World Cup season, they gained unprecedented access to the U.S. Ski Team and to Jessie Diggins herself.
“We turned to the sport we knew best, and the rest fell into place in a way we never could have predicted.”
The film is executive produced by actor and skier Patrick Dempsey. It showcases the physical intensity of elite cross-country skiing while also revealing a deeper narrative about Diggins’ mental health and eating-disorder journey.
A Story Beyond the Ski Trails
What began as an inside look at an Olympic athlete expanded when Diggins decided to speak openly on camera about her experiences with mental health and recovery.
“We developed a deep friendship and trust with Jessie, and as soon as she opened up about her mental health struggles and her willingness to share them, we knew this was the story we had to tell,” Torsten said.
As Diggins’ career accelerated, so did the pressures shaping her private life. She sought treatment at The Emily Program, a Minnesota-based eating-disorder recovery center. The Emily Program Foundation and the National Alliance for Eating Disorders partnered with the Brinkema brothers to support the film’s educational outreach.
“I hope people who are struggling feel less alone and more empowered to ask for help.”
“Eating disorders have so much stigma, shame, and guilt attached to them,” Diggins said. “I hope the film sparks conversations that remove that stigma. I hope people who are struggling feel less alone and more empowered to ask for help.”
Young Filmmakers, Unusual Access
The Brinkema brothers have been on the road promoting the film, including time spent in Italy during the Winter Olympics. They openly acknowledge how unlikely their success is for a debut project.
“We’ve had a false sense of confidence that carried us from the start of production all the way to the Peacock deal,” Torsten said. “If I had known how hard it is for a small independent filmmaker to be acquired by a streaming service, I probably would’ve lost hope. Now we have the false confidence to make another film.”
Threshold: The Untold Story of Jessie Diggins began streaming on Peacock on Feb. 23 and is expected to screen in theaters in spring or summer 2026.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call 1-866-662-1235.
