Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers, 2010
Dir.: Chip Mabry
Prod.: Chip Mabry
For those of you who don't know, as of March 2013, I became a proud member of the Jerzey Derby Brigade, a women's flat track roller derby team! It's one of the best decisions I've ever made! Our captain Doom Hilda is an amazing and hard-working leader, and my teammates are some of the toughest, funniest, most supportive and encouraging ladies I have ever had the pleasure of being associated with. It has been hard and challenging, but twice a week, I lace up my skates and pad up within an inch of my life and work my ass off on learning everything from how to skate on one foot to how to whip a fellow player (don't worry, that's not as cruel as it sounds). It's helping me build my confidence and be a little more outgoing in social situations. I've made amazing friends and I've been having a frigging blast!
I wanted to cover a derby-related documentary for this blog first thing I dove right back into it, but Prostitution: Behind the Veil caught my interest first. As I was searching through Hulu, I found a documentary that I had put on my original list of to-watch documentaries waaaaaay back from 2011, when I first started this blog! I found Brutal Beauty!
One thing I have learned ever since starting derby myself was that you cannot trust what you see on films and TV about the sport. They make it look easy. I'll be the first to admit that the reason why I joined derby was because of the movie Whip It. But I knew from the day I decided to join that I wasn't going to be on the roster any time soon. I hadn't strapped on a pair of skates since elementary school. Now, well, I'm not gonna say I'm good or anything, but at least I don't look like an asshole. Thankfully, the JDB is an amazing support system and even if I'm feeling down on myself for things like not being able to execute a smooth transition (read: turn around while skating), I get a knock on the helmet from one of my teammates and the words, "It's okay, you'll get the hang of it."
Anyway, enough of me rambling. Brutal Beauty tells the story of the Rose City Rollers of Portland, Oregon, and their 2008-2009 season. It opens with a montage of skates being laced up, pads being strapped on and skaters weaving through bright orange cones, accompanied by the sounds of skates on the floor, players shouting to one another, and whistles blowing. I'm immediately choked up - by now I know these sights and sounds like I know my own heartbeat.
Rose City Rollers founder, who goes by the derby name Rocket Mean, says that roller derby is "indicative of the culture of young women in America."
Skater Blood Clottia explains that it gives women "an alter ego".
"I was captain of the cheerleading squad in high school," says skater Marollin' Monroe, a curvaceous blonde bombshell with a husky voice. "The universe wanted me to be a derby girl. I obliged it."
Rocket Mean launches into the origins story of the Rose City Rollers. In 2004, three friends - Rocket Mean, Jeff and Yvette - were having drinks at a bar. Jeff was the one who suddenly says, "We need to start a roller derby league." At the time, there was no derby in Portland. They planned for nearly two months, meeting every single night at the bar, before they began skating and recruiting. They only place they had to practice was the basement of a bowling alley that they rented out at $200 a month. Once they began to understand the rules more and had a better grip on things, the league grew at a rapid pace.
The league grew to thew point where it was eventually divided into four local teams: the Break Neck Betties, the Heartless Heathers, Guns N Rollers, and the High Rollers. Then there are two travelling teams: the Wheels of Justice and Axles of Annihilation, that compete on a national level.
"It gave us the camaraderie we were all kind of looking for," Rocket Mean adds.
There are discussions about the origins of their derby names, their quirky costumes, and, of course, the one thing synonymous to derby: injuries. Broken ribs, sprained ankles, fractured legs...everytime you step onto the track, there's a potential for injury. Skater and co-captain Angry Wrench, who is interviewed from her living room couch with her foot in a cast, describes it as "going to the bathhouse without a condom every Friday night."
My favorite part of the documentary has to be when the High Rollers' coach, a lean mean donut-making machine who goes by Rob Lobster, demonstrates the basics of roller derby rules using - what else? - donuts.
Anyway, enough of me rambling. Brutal Beauty tells the story of the Rose City Rollers of Portland, Oregon, and their 2008-2009 season. It opens with a montage of skates being laced up, pads being strapped on and skaters weaving through bright orange cones, accompanied by the sounds of skates on the floor, players shouting to one another, and whistles blowing. I'm immediately choked up - by now I know these sights and sounds like I know my own heartbeat.
Rose City Rollers founder, who goes by the derby name Rocket Mean, says that roller derby is "indicative of the culture of young women in America."
Skater Blood Clottia explains that it gives women "an alter ego".
"I was captain of the cheerleading squad in high school," says skater Marollin' Monroe, a curvaceous blonde bombshell with a husky voice. "The universe wanted me to be a derby girl. I obliged it."
Rocket Mean launches into the origins story of the Rose City Rollers. In 2004, three friends - Rocket Mean, Jeff and Yvette - were having drinks at a bar. Jeff was the one who suddenly says, "We need to start a roller derby league." At the time, there was no derby in Portland. They planned for nearly two months, meeting every single night at the bar, before they began skating and recruiting. They only place they had to practice was the basement of a bowling alley that they rented out at $200 a month. Once they began to understand the rules more and had a better grip on things, the league grew at a rapid pace.
The league grew to thew point where it was eventually divided into four local teams: the Break Neck Betties, the Heartless Heathers, Guns N Rollers, and the High Rollers. Then there are two travelling teams: the Wheels of Justice and Axles of Annihilation, that compete on a national level.
"It gave us the camaraderie we were all kind of looking for," Rocket Mean adds.
There are discussions about the origins of their derby names, their quirky costumes, and, of course, the one thing synonymous to derby: injuries. Broken ribs, sprained ankles, fractured legs...everytime you step onto the track, there's a potential for injury. Skater and co-captain Angry Wrench, who is interviewed from her living room couch with her foot in a cast, describes it as "going to the bathhouse without a condom every Friday night."
My favorite part of the documentary has to be when the High Rollers' coach, a lean mean donut-making machine who goes by Rob Lobster, demonstrates the basics of roller derby rules using - what else? - donuts.
My other favorite part was an interview with skater Rhea Damage and her husband Jason, who admits that ever since his wife began roller derby, it has taken the top spot over football as his favorite sport and refers to his wife as his "favorite derby girl" (say it with me: Awwwww!!!)
"Men can get passionate about a sport when they're playing it," Jason explains, "But women...it's a whole other level. I mean, these girls devote themselves to it, and they don't even get paid!"
It's true - we actually have to pay dues to play. But ask any roller derby girl if that matters and they will say "Hell NO!" Seriously. At least three or four girls who are interviewed in this film say the exact same line: "Roller derby saved my soul."
It's true for both the skaters and fans alike. Derby is a sport that's for everyone - no matter what your size is, no matter what your skill level is, no matter what you look like.
The Rose City Roller girls - as well as my Jerzey Derby Brigade family - come from all walks of life. Women who are librarians, acupuncturists, and day care teachers strap on skates and become another person entirely when they're on the track. My own team consists of women who are lawyers, therapists, musicians, nannies and stay-at-home moms. That's what roller derby does. It takes whatever kind of mood you're in and immediately turns it on its ear, transforms it into something bigger and better.
Honestly, I spent most of this documentary crying my eyes out. It made me fall in love with this sport all over again. If I wasn't a derby girl now, I would have been immediately after seeing this film. It made me remember all of the beautiful, friendly, intelligent women that I am surrounded by weekly. They are instantly accepting of who you are and where you come from. Once you're in, you're in. I've only been a JDB member for a little less than two months and it feels like forever. I get hugs and advice and encouragement. I sweat, I laugh, and though sometimes I get frustrated, I will never quit.
....Sorry, how did this post become all about me all of a sudden?
Anyway. I have one complaint about the film and that is I wish I had seen more of a perspective from a beginning skater (or "fresh meat", which is the correct derby lingo). These girls have all been skating and on the roster for months or even years. I would have liked the film to follow at least one newbie, someone who was closer to my own experiences. But you know what? That's okay. The film gave me something to aspire to.
If you've ever had any inclination about joining roller derby, watch Brutal Beauty and I promise you, you will be hooked. It's a love affair you will never regret!
Oh, and of course, don't forget to support your local roller derby teams! :D
For more information on the Rose City Rollers: http://www.rosecityrollers.com/
For more information on the Jerzey Derby Brigade: http://www.jerzeyderby.com/
"Men can get passionate about a sport when they're playing it," Jason explains, "But women...it's a whole other level. I mean, these girls devote themselves to it, and they don't even get paid!"
It's true - we actually have to pay dues to play. But ask any roller derby girl if that matters and they will say "Hell NO!" Seriously. At least three or four girls who are interviewed in this film say the exact same line: "Roller derby saved my soul."
It's true for both the skaters and fans alike. Derby is a sport that's for everyone - no matter what your size is, no matter what your skill level is, no matter what you look like.
The Rose City Roller girls - as well as my Jerzey Derby Brigade family - come from all walks of life. Women who are librarians, acupuncturists, and day care teachers strap on skates and become another person entirely when they're on the track. My own team consists of women who are lawyers, therapists, musicians, nannies and stay-at-home moms. That's what roller derby does. It takes whatever kind of mood you're in and immediately turns it on its ear, transforms it into something bigger and better.
Honestly, I spent most of this documentary crying my eyes out. It made me fall in love with this sport all over again. If I wasn't a derby girl now, I would have been immediately after seeing this film. It made me remember all of the beautiful, friendly, intelligent women that I am surrounded by weekly. They are instantly accepting of who you are and where you come from. Once you're in, you're in. I've only been a JDB member for a little less than two months and it feels like forever. I get hugs and advice and encouragement. I sweat, I laugh, and though sometimes I get frustrated, I will never quit.
....Sorry, how did this post become all about me all of a sudden?
Anyway. I have one complaint about the film and that is I wish I had seen more of a perspective from a beginning skater (or "fresh meat", which is the correct derby lingo). These girls have all been skating and on the roster for months or even years. I would have liked the film to follow at least one newbie, someone who was closer to my own experiences. But you know what? That's okay. The film gave me something to aspire to.
If you've ever had any inclination about joining roller derby, watch Brutal Beauty and I promise you, you will be hooked. It's a love affair you will never regret!
Oh, and of course, don't forget to support your local roller derby teams! :D
For more information on the Rose City Rollers: http://www.rosecityrollers.com/
For more information on the Jerzey Derby Brigade: http://www.jerzeyderby.com/
To find local derby near you: http://www.derbyroster.com/
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