Fastpitch
(DVD)
DIRECTED BY - Jeremy Spear, Juliet Weber
A 35 year-old New York artist, director Jeremy Spear longs for the athletic days of his college years. He finds the solution in joining a fastpitch softball league in Ashland, Ohio and the result is this spirited, humorous, human documentary about a once-mighty sport which is now only followed by diehard fans. Over the course of the turbulent 1996 season Spear's camera captures the adventures of his Ohio teammates as they make their way to the finals in Wisconsin and face millionaire manager Peter Porcelli and his flashy Tampa Smokers team. A good portion of the film is devoted to Shane Hunuhunu, a goodhearted and charismatic Maori fastpitch superstar who travels from New Zealand to the U.S. each year to play the game he loves. Also among the interesting characters the camera encounters are Canadian Indian Darren Zack, the game's best player, and the North Americans, a team made up of Native Americans who pride themselves on being drug and alcohol free. Spear's witty narration does a fine job of tying together what was undoubtedly many hours of footage into an entertaining, evenly-paced look at a little-known offshoot of America's pastime and the smalltown fans who keep the game alive.
GENRES - documentary, sports & recreation
Film Info
RUNTIME - 90 minutes
RATING - Not Rated
YEAR - 2000
FORMAT - DVD Region 1
Related Links:
Official Website
Director
Director
Screenwriter
Screenwriter
Actor
Actor
Actor
Actor
FESTIVALS
- DocPoint: Helsinki Documentary Film Festival 2001 (Helsinki, Finland)
- Victoria Independent Film & Video Festival 2001 (Victoria, Canada)
- Asian American International Film Festival 2000 (New York City, United States)
- Breckenridge Festival of Film 2000 (Breckenridge, United States)
- DoubleTake Documentary Film Festival 2000 (Durham, United States)
- Hawaii International Film Festival 2000 (Honolulu, United States)
- Huntington International Independent Film Festival 2000 (Huntington, United States)
- Nashville Independent Film Festival 2000 (Nashville, United States)
- Pennsylvania Film Festival 2000 (Scranton, United States)
- Saguaro Film Festival International 2000 (Phoenix, United States)
Awards
- Anthony Radizwill Documentary Achievement Award (Finalist)
2000 Gotham Awards (New York City, United States) - Best Feature Documentary (Winner)
2000 Nashville Film Festival (Nashville, United States) - Best First Film (Winner)
2000 Saguaro Film Festival International (Phoenix, United States) - Special Documentary Prize (Winner)
2000 Wine Country Film Festival (Napa & Sonoma Valleys, United States)