Hell on Wheels

USA, 2007, 90 Minute Running Time
Genre/Subjects: Documentary, Sports, Women's Issues
Program: Documentary Films
Language: English

DIRECTOR: Bob Ray
Producer: Werner Campbell (Executive), Bob Ray (Executive), Jere Orlandi
Editor: Conor O'Neill, Cory Ryan
Principal Cast: TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, Texas Rollergirls, Amy Sherman, Anya Jack, April Herman, Heather Burdick, Lane Greer, Laurie Rourke, Nancy Haggerty
US Distributor: Crash Cam Films

Saturday, July 17 at 7pm - Part of a Double Feature with Total Badass!
Digital presentation - Straight from the trenches (make that the rink), Hell on Wheels eyeballs the dizzying clash of athleticism, exhibitionism, ego, politics and business that defines today's roller derby.
Back in 2001, a group of young female players on Austin's legendary music scene proved tough-minded, hard-hitting players of another sort when they turned their energies toward resurrecting and revamping a sport whose glory days had long since passed: competitive team roller skating. Sexing it up with plenty of rock-and-roll swagger, they overcame myriad obstacles to usher roller derby into the 21st century – only to watch their fledgling organization founder amid internal strife. But as two leagues emerged from the rubble, they went on to spark an international roller derby revival – inspiring the formation of hundreds of clubs all over the world, from New York and Los Angeles to the Cayman Islands and New Zealand (not to mention Denver).
While editing by Murderball's Conor O'Neill sharpens its edge, this romping, stomping documentary – filmed over the course of four years – isn't all action and no talk. Director Bob Ray - himself a fixture in contemporary Texan counterculture – alternates competition footage with behind-the-scenes interviews that reveal the sport's positive impact on women's esteem and on the friendships they forge beyond the rivalries.

Official Film Website