A Day On the Force: Women's Professional Tackle Football
Documentary | trt 60 min
2004
A Day on the Force: Women’s Professional Tackle Football,
features Chicago’s first pro-tackle women’s
football team. This upbeat, humorous film chronicles the
challenges and triumphs of the Chicago Force, the newest member
of the Independent Women’s Football League.
Although Title IX has done much
to even the playing field, women and girls still face an
uphill battle for equality in the world of sports. This is true
for every sport, but perhaps because pro-tackle women's football
challenges normative gender roles more than any other sport,
the Chicago Force has thus far lacked the media coverage, endorsement
options, respect, and economic support granted to the city’s
male professional teams. This, despite the fact that the Force
is currently the city’s only undefeated professional sports team.
Women’s Professional Tackle Football
is a timely and controversial issue. With the recent
spotlight on the University of Colorado’s football team’s
female kicker, Katie Hnida, and the disparaging “Lingerie Bowl”,
the fact that women can and do play football has finally made
headlines.
A Day on the Force:
Women’s Professional Tackle Football is a
moving documentary that goes beyond these headlines. The film
is an intimate portrait of women carving out their dreams as
professional athletes. Characters
include: Wendy Sperling, the “soccer mom” whose husband and
children cheer from the stands. Maria Kreevich who was kicked
off her high school football team for being a girl. Tamika Perry
who explains her love for the game and devastation when a concussion
might keep her on the sidelines. Linda Bache, a fullback with
supermodel looks and amazing athletic ability who, at age 41, is
one of the teams’ elders.
A Day on the Force:
Women’s Professional Tackle Football is a
collaboration between filmmakers Ronit Bezalel, Laurie Little,
and Sree Nallamothu.
A Thirst Films, Luminist
Films, and Ronit Bezalel Films co-production.
For more information, visit Luminist Films' A Day on the
Force webpage.