''Backspot'' is a 2023 film directed by

D. W. Waterson D. W. Waterson, is a Canadian DJ, drummer, writer, director, and web series creator. They are known for their work as a performer and for creating, writing, and directing the award-winning web series ''That's My DJ'' (2014–2017). Early life ...

in their feature-length directorial debut and stars

Devery Jacobs Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (born August 8, 1993), known professionally as Devery Jacobs, is an Indigenous Canadian ( Kanien'keha:ka (Mohawk)) actress and writer. For her performance in ''Rhymes for Young Ghouls'' (2013), she garnered a Canadian Sc ...

Kudakwashe Rutendo Kudakwashe Rutendo is a Canadian actress, most noted for her starring role as Amanda in the 2023 film ''Backspot''. Born in Calgary, Alberta, and raised in Fort McMurray,Vincent McDermott"Fort McMurray-raised actress Kudakwashe Rutendo one of TIF ...

, and

Evan Rachel Wood Evan Rachel Wood (born September 7, 1987) is an American actress and activist. She is the recipient of a Critics' Choice Television Award as well as three Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations for her work in ...

. Jacobs also serves as producer, along with Waterson, through their Night is Y production company. The film premiered in the Discovery program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

Synopsis

The plot follows two cheerleaders named Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo) as they navigate the world of professional cheerleading.

Cast

*Noa DiBerto as Rachel *

as Riley *

as Amanda *

as Eileen McNamara * Thomas Antony Olajide *

Oluniké Adeliyi Oluniké Adeliyi (born January 5, 1977) is a Canadian actress. She appeared in the 2010 horror film ''Saw 3D'' and starred as Leah Kerns in the television series '' Flashpoint''. Early life Adeliyi was born in Brampton, Ontario, of Jamaican-Nig ...

Wendy Crewson Wendy Jane Crewson (born May 9, 1956) is a Canadian actress and producer. She began her career appearing on Canadian television, before her breakthrough role in 1991 dramatic film '' The Doctor''. Crewson has appeared in many Hollywood films, inc ...

Shannyn Sossamon Shannon Marie Kahololani "Shannyn" Sossamon () is an American actress, director, and musician. She has appeared in the films ''A Knight's Tale'' (2001), '' 40 Days and 40 Nights'', '' The Rules of Attraction'' (both 2002), '' The Order'' (2003), ...

*Adrianna Di Liello as Banigan *Marlee Sansom as Laila

Production

The project is produced Page Boy Productions, Night is Y, and Prospero Pictures. It was written by Joanne Sarazen, based on a story by Waterson.

Elliot Page Elliot Page (formerly Ellen Page; born February 21, 1987) is a Canadian actor. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Elliot Page, various accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actress, Academy Award nomination, tw ...

, Matthew Jordan Smith, John Davidson, and Katisha Shaw executive produce, with Alona Metzer, Waterson, Jacobs, and Martin Katz as producers. In December 2023,

XYZ Films XYZ Films is an American film production and sales company founded in 2008 by Aram Tertzakian, Nate Bolotin and Nick Spicer, and is based in Los Angeles. It focuses on international genre films, including '' The Raid: Redemption'', ''The Raid 2'' ...

had acquired the U.S., Australia and New Zealand distribution rights to the film. In cheerleading, a backspotter acts as a support to the flyer during cheerleading stunts, which is referenced in the title of the project.

Casting

As well as producing the movie, Jacobs was announced as one of the leads of the film in October 2022. Newcomer Kudakwashe Rutendo was announced as the other lead in February 2023. Evan Rachel Wood was revealed to have joined the production in March 2023.

Filming

Principal photography began in Toronto in February 2023. It was reported by ''Collider'' that filming had wrapped in March 2023.

Critical response

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Backspot 2020s English-language films Films shot in Toronto Cheerleading films LGBT-related drama films 2023 films Canadian LGBT-related films Canadian sports drama films LGBT-related sports drama films 2023 drama films 2023 LGBT-related films 2020s Canadian films 2023 directorial debut films