BACKWARDS - A High Adrenaline Drama Overflowing With Gutsy Determination
- Details
- Category: Indies, Docs, Foreign Film
- Published on Thursday, 20 September 2012 21:57
- Written by Janet Walker
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BACKWARDS, from 13th Night Productions, brings to the screen a story of dedication, drive and determination faced by athletes who burn with a desire for excellence and live never give up.
Produced by Sarah Megan Thomas, who also wrote and stars as the lead, Abigail Brooks, BACKWARDS also stars James Van Der Beek, Meredith Apfelbaum, Alexandra Metz and Margaret Colin, and was directed by Ben Hickernell.
BACKWARDS, tells the story of Olympic rower Abigail Brooks, who after devoting her entire life to a single pursuit that of Olympic Gold at thirty is considered past her prime. After winning a seat race, she was replaced by a younger, stronger rower and regulated to alternate for a second USA Olympic team.
At this point facing another Olympic visit regulated to the sideline she quits the team. What follows is reentry into “normal” society. And it isn’t pretty. Asaformer 24/7 in training athlete, Abi moves back home where mom, played wonderfully by Margaret Colin/INDEPENDENCE DAY, presents her with sound wise career choices. Colin delivers a strong portrayal, a counterbalance of reality and practicality to the rarity of attainment in Abi/Thomas’ dreams. Sarah Megan Thomas embodied the role of Abigail Brooks, and captured the essence of the Olympian.
James Van Der Beek/DAWSON’S CREEK, plays Abi’s current and former love interest, Geoff. With a history the two rekindled a connection and possible future. As it is a go for the gold film, the players all brought their A game and the performances are solid.
As Abi readjusts into non-training life her Olympic status and years of rowing are enough to secure employment as a local High School coach were she encounter two budding rowers, Susan/Meredith Apfelbaum and Hannah/Alexandra Metz. The girls are the toughest challenge Abi has faced and just when there is a break-through fate places her squarely at the intersection of desire and responsibility.
The larger metaphor in BACKWARDS deals with the challenges faced by everyone who has found their destiny only to find that it needs to be tweaked just a little in order to bring about the maximum harvest.
Filmed at the Philadelphia's Boathouse Row, the race scenes are actual races from The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the largest high school rowing event in the country. The U.S. National Team rowers’ were also used in key scenes. BACKWARDS offers an inner glimpse of the commitment needed to be the best in the world. BACKWARDS also pinches a nerve as it deals with age discrimination in a youth obsessed culture.
BACKWARDS a high adrenaline drama is overflowing with gutsy determination, heartbreaking disappointment and a passion for excellence. A must see for sports enthusiasts! BACKWARDS, with many standout moments, delivers.
BACKWARDS, opens in select cities September 21, 2012.
