1. It’s Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut. When asked why she picked this project, Drew explained to Time Out New York: “I relate to a theme of it: women who have not only an alter ego but a capability. I love these women who totally have day jobs — they’re nurses and librarians and waitresses… What I love about the sport is that it’s real and high stakes. And by the way, it’s scary as shit to do. I wouldn’t have guessed that the first film I directed would have a sports element, but then again it doesn’t surprise me, because I love girls getting to do what boys do… I love when [women] get to be women and not feel like they have to become a man in order to play in a man’s world.” Read More »

Since we last checked in with Whip It, the Ellen Page roller derby romp, we’ve been dutifully trying to think up a really good roller derby name. We’re temporarily abandoning that pursuit to let you know that the trailer’s been released! Gawker says it does “not look promising,” but we think the exact opposite, and we’re going to take you through the whole clip and tell you why. Read More »

Fishnets stockings, tattoos, and girls with names like Judy Gloom and Kelly Kaboom may be what you’d expect to find at your favorite rock club, but you’re more likely run into this kind of thing at a local Roller Derby match. The sport, known for its participants taking on flamboyant personas and names, has been around since the early 20th century, but only recently evolved from “sports entertainment” into a legitimate (if somewhat brutal) form of athletic competition.

It will also be the focus of Whip It, Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, which stars Ellen Page and Juliette Lewis, and opens in theaters this fall. The script was authored by LA Derby Dolls founding member Shauna Cross, and is based on her book Derby Girl. Flavorpill asked Ms. Cross to give us some of the ABC’s of the game so we can act like we know what we’re talking about next time we’re at the track. Read More »