BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER*’s director Chris Bell is working on a new doc exploring the drive to groom the next generation of athletes, beginning at younger and younger ages.
Using ESPN reporter Tom Farrey’s book, GAME ON: THE ALL-AMERICAN RACE TO MAKE CHAMPIONS OF OUR CHILDREN, as inspiration, Bell’s film, which has used the tag line “Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Younger,” looks at the way our culture has led parents to push their kids to become the next professional athlete, despite the odds against them – often putting their safety at risk through the use of steroids, and generally costing them their childhood. On the other end of the spectrum from these super-fit kids, Bell also promises to address the growing childhood obesity epidemic, and how to strike a healthier balance between the two extremes.
With less than three weeks to go, Bell looks unlikely to make his $100,000 Kickstarter campaign goal, but even if this crowdfunding attempt doesn’t work, his past success and those of his producer/editor, Kurt Engfahr (BIGGER, FAHRENHEIT 9/11, and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE), should give them a leg up to finish this new project.
Despite my general lack of enthusiasm for sports-related documentaries, the angle here should broaden TROPHY KIDS beyond a strict sports focus to a consideration of US culture, pop culture, and the desire for success and celebrity – all very relatable, even to non-parents and to non-sports fans. I’m also curious how the parents will present themselves – the potential for fascinatingly driven soccer moms and dads perks my guilty pleasure meter, and I wonder how they’ll react to the sobering reality check the film will present to their vicarious major league dreams.
what (not) to doc 