Derby Baby: A Story of Love, Addiction and Rink Rash

Kansas City Bomber from 1972 and 2009's Whip It are narrative films about the rarefied world of Roller Derby that unfortunately leave something to be desired. That's too bad, because this sport and its sub-culture really deserves a great fictional cinematic treatment. I really wanted to love Whip It with its first-rate cast, but the film's direction lacks energy and the screenplay falls short.

With Derby Baby, Co-Directors Robin Bond and Dave Wruck deliver a great documentary on the wonderful American invention of Flat Track Roller Derby which has exploded across the globe in the last few years. It turns out that the Girl Power of these Derby Dolls is really contagious. Most viewers won't know many of the nice, interesting and committed people who tell their stories in this film, but they will recognize Whip It's Juliette Lewis who does a generous thing by sitting for the camera while sharing eloquently and humorously about her experiences on that film.

We had a very spirited and well attended screening of Derby Baby at the 2012 Sonoma International Film Festival. The packed audience really enjoyed themselves.

Suffice to say that the gauntlet has been thrown down. Now who's gonna direct the first great narrative Derby film?