For both roller derby novices and the most seasoned jammers out there, this film offers both an in-depth look at the history of women’s roller derby and a portrait of a hard-as-nails team from Montréal called The New Skids on the Block. Following such great derby docs as Hell on Wheels and Blood on the Fast Track, as well as Drew Barrymore’s Whip It, this new documentary from filmmakers Maya Gallus and Justine Pimlott (Punch Like a Girl, Frameline32, and Girl Inside, Frameline31) shows us how our neighbors to the north like to roll, featuring interviews with the players and their stunningly enthusiastic drag-donning announcer, Plastik Patrick, as well as a few exciting clips of Raquel Welch in Kansas City Bomber and Farrah Fawcett in a special derby episode of Charlie’s Angels.

As one of the few female-dominated sports out there, roller derby provides a sisterhood for these adrenaline-seeking women—mostly queer women with a fair share of straight allies—many of whom never felt included in the sort of team sports the other girls were into growing up. Get to know The New Skids on the Block as they try to unseat the international reigning champions from London, and familiarize yourself with the wildest, sexiest sport out there!

— Séverine Sorel

PRECEDED BY:

The L Riders

DIRS Zane Schwartz, Eric Ward, Johnny Wilcox & Kevin Wolf 2013 USA 13 min

Five lesbians use motorcycles to express themselves, explore their sexuality, and create a community that tackles the social stigmas of the LGBT community.

AT&T Audience Award Text Voting Code: D309