Documentarian Dawn Mikkelson, known for her work on Finding Her Beat, Risking Light and The Red Tail, is exploring the lives of six of the Minnesota RollerGirls in her upcoming documentary, Minnesota Mean.
The documentary feature will make its world premiere at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival on April 15 followed by screenings at the Florida Film Festival on April 17 and the Sunscreen Film Festival on April 29.
Minnesota Mean is a riveting human drama about the pounding heart of roller derby: powerful, self-sufficient women from all walks of life and identity (straight, gay, trans, etc.), the docs logline reads. Its a vital and relevant story of triumph, loss, strength, determination, and a search for balance between individuality and community.
The documentary follows a year-in-the-lives of six core members of one of the most competitive roller derby teams in the world, the Minnesota RollerGirls. The roller derby athletes are seen training for the Womens Flat Track Roller Derby, all in an effort to win the competitions top prize, the Hydra.
Mikkelson directed, produced and edited alongside editors Kimberly Brown, SHawn Hissami and MDaya Meliani. Cliff Dahlberg, Nanne Sorvold, Carolyn Draayer, Sarah Moua, Brenda Pikarski, Maribeth Romslo, Michaek Sutz and Mikkelson each served as films cinematographers.
In addition to Minnesota Mean, the documentarian is set to produce and edit documentary, Ribbon Skirt Warriors, which has been directed by Keri Pickett and executive produced by Jane Fonda and Winona LaDuke.