Female jockey Julie Krone is a “Freak”

I was delighted to read that award-winning filmmaker Katherine Brooks (”Loving Annabelle,” 2006, and “Waking Madison,” 2009) is making a film based on legendary female jockey Julie Krone.  The film is called “Freak,” which refers to a racing term for horses who win over and over, even when they shouldn’t.

When it comes to horses, Krone is indeed a freak of nature. The film is an adaptation of her autobiography, “Riding for My Life”, which chronicles her rise to fame and unparalleled success as a jockey. A vivid look at the world of horse racing, “Freak” aims to explore one woman’s battle against sexual inequality in a classic tale of an underdog’s passage toward victory.

Dubbed the winningest female jockey in history, Krone is the only woman to be inducted into thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame.  She won 3,704 professional races, totaling over $90 million in prize money.

Krone is still the only woman to have won a Triple Crown race, flying across the finish line atop Colonial Affair in the 125th running of the Belmont Stakes in 1993. She’s also the only woman to ever compete at Belmont, where she raced on five occasions.

To achieve success, however, Krone had to overcome fierce obstacles. During her career,  Krone faced intense chauvinism in additon to suffering major injuries, including six fractures in her vertebrae, broken hands and cracked ribs.

For a long time, women didn’t even have the option of competing professionally because they weren’t legally allowed to ride at a track.  It wasn’t until 1968 that women were finally allowed to race, but they were prevented from doing so when male jockeys threatened to boycott the races.

Following in the footsteps of a handful of women before her, including Diana Crump who became the first woman to race professionally, Krone blazed her way to success. It wasn’t easy making a mark in the male-dominated “Sport of Kings” and for a long time no one took the petite (4′ 11”)  blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl seriously.

When a guy slashed Krone’s ear with a whip, she broke his nose. When people called her names, she looked the other way.  To the world, she was fearless. But inside, she was alone. The hardship fueled her desire to succeed even more. “Freak” is Krone’s heartfelt story.

According to IMDB, Brooks was initially against adapting Freak because she is a PETA member and spent much of her life rescuing injured horses off the track. It wasn’t until she met Krone and read her auto-biography, that she felt she could focus more on the intimate struggles of the character than the sport of racing. This is clearly a multi-layered story which promises lots of action and drama.

“Freak”, scheduled to shoot on location  in New York and Louisiana, is being produced by Sophie Watts of Gravity Films with an anticipated release around spring 2011. You can follow the progress via the film’s Facebook page or Twitter.

Official Website

Kick in Iran: Female sports documentary premieres at Sundance

The Sundance Film Festival, beginning today in Park City, Utah,  is the 26th annual showcase of independent film.  While distributors are on the lookout for breakouts  like “Paranormal Activity”  and “Little Miss Sunshine”, we’ve got our eye on a powerful documentary called “Kick in Iran.”

Kick in Iran is a look at contemporary life in Iran. It is a portrait of a talented Muslim athlete, a young woman coming of age, a female friendship, and the big dream of Olympic Gold.

Filmmaker Fatima Geza Abdollahyan was born in Germany and raised by her Iranian parents speaking Persian, German, English and French. She studied Political Science and earned a Master’s in International Relations before deciding, in 2001, to study film at the University of Television and Film Munich.

While working at a German television station in Tehran in 2005, Fatima covered the Muslim Women’s Games, a female sporting event that took place every 4 years (but are no longer running). Organized by the Iranian government, Muslim women from every corner of the globe – including the US – would descend on Tehran to compete for a week in a variety of disciplines.

Sara Khoshjamal-Fekri

At the games Fatima met Sara Khoshjamal-Fekri, a Taekwondo expert who hailed from a lower middle class family in Southern Tehran.  In 2007 the twenty-year-old Sara became the first female Iranian athlete to qualify for the Olympics. The young athlete and her strong-willed coach, Maryam Azarmehr, had left such a strong impression on Fatima that she began documenting Sara’s journey over a nine-month period in the run-up to and the aftermath of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  After difficult negotiations with the governments of both Iran and China (neither receptive to open media and non-state-controlled cameras) nine months of filming, and another year and a half of editing “Kick In Iran” is finally complete.

The Story

The film follows Sara and Maryam as they navigate their way through an unappreciative society to the Olympics and back. The backbone of the film is the relationship between shagerd, pupil, and ostad, master, which extends beyond the realm of the gymnasium at which they train. The bond that has been built between the two is the result of the environment they operate in – a paternalistic one that’s not entirely receptive to their accomplishments, which are nothing short of history-making.

Throughout the film, Fatima shows how the cards are stacked against female athletes in Iran – and especially Sara. At one point, the Friday Prayer Leader of Tehran is heard stating his disgust at sending female athletes abroad to partake in competitions. Sara and Maryam, however, are not so easily deterred. While commentators and clerics debate the “Islamic legality” of female athletes in competition, the two women continue working towards their goal of being the best, and, in some ways, are sheltered from this by keeping to their routines.

In making the film, Fatima’s goal was to  deliver performances that allow the audience to identify, connect, and really comprehend the matter at hand, which can be a real challenge. Sara and Maryam are people – women – just like any other. They may wear roosarys, headscarves, but their identities go beyond this.

In a male dominated society based on a rigid interpretation of Islamic laws, a professional female athlete like Sara constantly stretches limits. Thanks to the film “Kick in Iran”  portraits of women like Sara and Maryam can emerge.

Here’s hoping this film finds a distributor and an audience.

Kimmy Fasani: Adventures in filming

The opportunities that cross the paths of athletes are abnormally incredible. I find that I have to pinch myself on a usual basis because I can’t believe what my “job title” is. I am outside all day, I travel consistently, and I meet amazing people all over the world. Really?

This season, similar to last season, I am focusing most of my energy on filming, while still trying to find a good balance of doing contests to promote the companies that represent me. However, this season DC has provided me the opportunity to film with Standard Films. Standard Films is a very prestigious guys movie project that documents some of the most standout guys riding in the industry. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to push myself to a level of riding that could be archived among the other few women that have filmed with a guy’s crew. The added benefit of this project is the film crew has also brought Hana Beaman, Raewyn Reid, and last year’s veteran Leanne Pelosi into the mix. The four of us ladies have our own filmer and it’s our job to make our parts happen. Challenge? YES! Exciting? YES!

With that said, my season started off quickly and efficiently with a two week road trip to the interior of British Colombia. Hana, Leanne, and myself met up with a photographer, Christy Chaloux, and filmer, Aaron Whitley, in Nelson, BC on the 2nd of January. The mountains were getting thoroughly filled in with blankets of snow for days.

We started off our adventure at Baldface, which is a very well known cat skiing operation. Riding at this operation would give us a chance to get comfortable with each other and the waist deep powder, while also allowing the backcountry to become a little more stable. Everybody was warning us about a high avalanche danger in the surrounding mountains so we figured we might as well play it safe and utilize terrain that had guides and advanced avalanche safety equipment.

Two days at Baldface was the perfect warm up and with stability rising in the backcountry we were beginning to feel confidence in our snowmobiles. From the 5th of January until the 10th we took to the back roads and headed out on our snowmobiles to find all the untracked layers of snow. We struck gold and each day we were riding about 2 feet of fresh tracks and no body else was around. The two-week adventure came to a close on January 11th and I drove down to Park City, Utah for a couple events. Filming in the quiet mountains heavily outweighs doing contests but each are components of my “job.”

Life is beautiful and powder is my favorite!

Sneak Peek: Reese Witherspoon plays ball

Softball fans have been hearing the buzz about a Hollywood movie starring Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon for months. While details are sparse, we do know shooting for the film wrapped in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago.

The still untitled romantic comedy, directed by James L. Brooks (Simpsons, Spanglish, As Good As It Gets), features Witherspoon as a Team USA Olympic Softball player torn between Owen Wilson as a MLB player and Paul Rudd.   Jack Nicholson joined the star-filled cast as Witherspoon’s dad after Bill Murray dropped out of the film.

Legendary former UCLA Head Softball Coach, Sue Enquist, has been involved from the beginning and was hired by the production company to serve as the softball consultant.  Part of Coach Enquist’s challenge has been to surround Reese Witherspoon’s character with legitimate teammates.  Enquist also helped with the choreography of the softball scenes and it’s encouraging to note that the producers have been concerned with authenticity in shooting the fim.

Players from the National Pro Fastpitch league, the PFX Tour, and local college softball graduates will be featured throughout the scenes.  Jess Mendoza and Taryn Mowatt are among those who have been seen on set.

This is sure to be a feel-good film and there is high excitement in the softball world about the  project which is due out late 2010.

Check out more images  of Witherspoon on set from Splash News.

(h/t to The Softball Network)

Grete Eliassen drops her “Say My Name” trailer

Oakley’s Grete Eliassen “Say My Name” movie will be premiering in 2010. From the limited info available, this was a two-year project produced by Stan Evans. Here is a sneak preview.

SAY MY NAME TEASER from Stan Evans on Vimeo.

For more, check out GreteEliassen.com

‘Secretariat’ film to tell story of Triple Crown winner, woman behind his inspiring run

The racehorse considered by many to be the best ever and the housewife-turned-breeder who soared in a male-dominated sport are now coming to the big screen.

“Secretariat” has begun filming in Kentucky with Diane Lane portraying owner Penny Chenery and John Malkovich cast as trainer Lucien Laurin.  AJ Michalka (from Aly & AJ) portrays Chenery’s daughter.

No doubt the main theme of the movie will be  Secretariat’s achievement of perfection in equine performance. Over three decades after his astounding strength and champion’s heart inspired an entire nation, Secretariat’s name is still revered by new generations, and his legacy still captures the imaginations of those who hear his story.

Mayhem Pictures, with the backing of Walt Disney Pictures, is producing “Secretariat.” Mayhem’s other uplifting sports-themed stories include “Miracle,” about the 1980 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team, “The Rookie” and “Invincible,” (written by my good friend Brad Gann). Randall Wallace, who directed “We Were Soldiers,” is directing. A fall 2010 release is expected.

Stay up to date on news of the film here.

Roller Derby film “Whip It” rocks

We’ve been following  the film Whip It since it was announced last year that Drew Barrymore would make her directorial debut helming the roller derby-themed coming-of-age story starring  Ellen Page.

So now, it’s finally time to hit the theatre and see this film on the big screen.  Whip It premieres this weekend and reviews have been universally great with pubs from New York Magazine to the LA Times  raving about every aspect of the film.

MSNBC writes “Whip It crackles with fun -
First-time director Drew Barrymore leaves other chick-flicks eating her dust.”

It’s something close to thrilling to see ‘Whip It,’ a fun female-empowerment movie that marks an impressively crowd-pleasing directorial debut for Drew Barrymore.

Women & Hollywood’s  Melissa Silverstein, whose reviews I always find spot on,  says:

Drew Barrymore not only directs, she produces the film and co-stars as Hurl Scout,  one of the skaters who constantly gets thrown out of the matches for kicking the sh*t out of the other women.  It’s hysterical.  And the best news to me is the confidence and comfort that Barrymore shows as a director.  It’s just that good. 

Whip It proves that films can be feminist and fun.  That in itself is worthy the price of admission.

(btw: If you’re not already familiar with  Women & Hollywood, it’s an indispensable guide to women in film. ) Melissa goes on to say that Barrymore and company should keep making films like this instead of the crap we normally see on screen that marginalizes girls and women (we all know which films she’s referring to). Couldn’t agree more.

Everything about this film rings true.  After working for months with  trainer Axles of Evil (a.k.a. Alex Cohen), and scrimmaging with some real L.A. Derby Dolls, Page proudly estimates that she did about 99% of her own skating seen on-screen.

The film is strong and funny, filled with joy and empowerment. Combine that with characters like Maggie Mayhem, Iron Maven and Smashley Simpson and a derby team called The Hurl Scouts what could be better? And for those wondering, a crucial question will finally be answered:  Skates or high heels?

The film also boasts an impressive cast including supporting roles by Marcia Gay Harden, Kristin Wiig and Juliette Lewis as well as a soundtrack of indie rock icons.

Whatever is on your schedule this weekend, make sure to make room for Whip It and help give this film the box office success it deserves.

BANDSLAM’S Vanessa Hudgens made honorary Girl Scout

Walden Media – distributor of the film BANDSLAM, kicked off its partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles with a special premiere screening of their new film.

Nearly 400 Girl Scouts, from ages 6 to 16 came to the Harmony Gold Theater to see the film, and its star Vanessa Hudgens. Hudgens was on hand to offer the young women words of encouragement. “Be Strong” she says “I think that’s the one thing you can do. I think they’re [Girl Scouts] are great girls and they’re living by great things. I wish them all the best.”

Hudgens was also given the title of Honorary Girl Scout, and was presented with the Girl Scout Insignia pin. She said of the honor: “I’m excited. I can’t wait to tell my mom. I think the Girl Scout Organization is an incredible thing for young girls. It gives you a chance to be with other girls who I feel are here to improve themselves, and to make friends, and I think that’s an important part of growing up, you know to be around good people and it just helps girls find themselves.”

Walden also used the event to launch its new Walden Media Media Literacy Patch. This fall, over 45,000 Girl Scouts throughout the Greater Los Angeles area will have the opportunity to complete a series of immersive activities to earn the special patch.

Ishani Patel, a Cadette Girl Scout said of the patch: “I’m really excited to get it because it’s going to introduce us to what they do behind the scenes in the media world. Most of the time you go to the movies but you just see the movie, but you don’t see what goes on behind the scenes; so they’re giving us the opportunity to learn what they do on a regular day.”

Walden did just that with a Q&A session before the film with Walden Execs Evan Turner, VP of Development and Production, and Heather Phillips, SVP of Marketing. The two spoke about their experiences making and marketing BANDSLAM. The session gave the Girl Scouts an insider look into all the work and thought that goes into a film.

Pretty cool!

Reel players – the best sports-themed chick flicks

Looking for something to do on a hot, lazy summer afternoon?

If you feel the need to chill, how about settling in with a bucket of high-carb popcorn and creating your own movie marathon? We’ve watched all the films out there and put together a collection of the best sports-themed chick flicks. Feel the need to add an educational element? Try watching the DVD in another language – a great way to brush up on your French or Spanish.

Pretty Tough Picks

My personal faves include Love & Basketball (Sanaa Lathan), Bend It Like Beckham (Keira Knightly) and League of Their Own (Geena Davis, Madonna). If you haven’t already seen it, Heart of the Game is a terrific documentary that matches any theatrical film for drama.

BFF: Bicycle Film Festival

What do you get when you combine the worldwide cycling community (and some devoted sponsors) with movies, parties, musical performances and art exhibits ? You get The Bicycle Film Festival – an annual event that celebrates all things bicycle.

The 9th Bicycle Film Festival returns this summer and organizers don’t plan to leave anyone out. From tall bike jousting, track bikes, BMX, alleycats, critical mass, bike polo, cycling to recumbent, they’re into all styles of bikes and biking.

The mission is to bring together all aspects of bicycling to advocate its ability to transport us in many ways.

The fest kicks off this weekend in New York where, for the next four days, festival-goers will be burdened with the task of picking and choosing which one of the many events they want to go to.

Bikes Rock at the South Street Seaport where there will be bands, parades, street games and more.  The Joy Ride is a cycling odyssey between four Soho galleries where riders view a specially curated multimedia exhibit inspired by the bicycle.

Each day will also feature different viewings of film shorts about the bicycle. Subjects range from building bikes to celebrating bikes to bike journeys. There will be a few world premieres of feature length films, including ‘Where Are You Go,’ about the world’s longest bike race around Africa, ‘I Love My Bicycle: The Story of FBM Bikes,’ chronicling the 15 year reign of a beloved DIY bike apparel company, and ‘The Third Wheel,’ about the Pedicab industry.

The BFF is going on around the nation and in Japan, Australia, and Europe so be sure to check out the site for updated info and must-see exhibits in your city!

Check out the trailer for this year’s festival:

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