Exploring the ambition and drive that defines young athletes not only while they’re in competition, but also while they’re contending with normal adolescent insecurities and challenges, fuels the most enduring sports movies. The new drama, ‘Backspot,’ is one such feature; it not only brings an irrepressible energy to its depiction of young cheerleaders who are pushing themselves to perform dizzying feats of agility and strength, but also how they’re determined to find acceptance by the people they admire.
The project marks the feature film directorial debut of Toronto-based DJ, D.W. Waterson (TIFF Filmmaker Lab ’22). The helmer and the movie’s writer, Joanne Sarazen (TIFF Micki Moore Resident ’19), show the project’s main characters are still only kids, dealing with the same pressures as their peers. They might launch themselves into the air, but one wrong move will bring them crashing to the ground, both literally and figuratively.
‘Backspot’ follows Riley (Devery Jacobs, who also served as a producer) can’t afford to make that wrong move. The ferocious competitor and furious perfectionist finds herself under pressure when she and her girlfriend Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo, TIFF Rising Star ’23) are both selected for an elite cheer squad. As the tough coach Eileen (Evan Rachel Wood) and her assistant, Devon (Thomas Antony Olajide, TIFF Rising Star ’21) put them through the challenges of trying out for the squad, Riley’s anxiety escalates, and her compulsive behavior intensifies. But along the way, she ultimately learns that acknowledging her vulnerability is a formidable strength.
XYZ Films is distributing the feature, which was executive produced by Elliot Page, in theaters nationwide today, May 31. The project’s theatrical release comes after it received critical acclaim at last fall’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it had its World Premiere in the Discovery section. The Canadian movie then had its International Premiere at SXSW in March in the Festival Favorite section.
Waterson generously took the time to talk about making their feature film directorial debut on ‘Backspot’ during an exclusive interview over Zoom the afternoon after the project premiered at Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox theater on September 8. Listen to the full interview’s audio above.
Film Factual 