"If you haven’t seen this, you don’t like documentaries." - Ben Steinbauer (Film maker)
The remark above was all it took for me to finally watch "Spellbound" - a documentary about the American National Spelling Bee.
Eight teenagers hoping to win the Spelling Bee trophy are followed from their hometowns to Washington D.C. Here, they compete to spell their way to victory, glory, and the American Dream.
Trophies and competition are practically synonymous with American culture, and for the competitors, the Spelling Bee represents a first step towards a successful life. Most of them come from immigrant families, and express a strong desire to make something of themselves. And where else is this possible but America: land of the free (as we're continually reminded), and country where anyone can excel with hard work?
Apart from the blatant flag-waving, "Spellbound" is an interesting slice of life. It opens a door into an adorably geeky world, and shows the successes and failures of young teenagers in quest of their dream. Some you root for, some you pity (particually the ones with the over zealous parents), and some you cringe at.*
Despite being a little too long, the journey is entertaing, and you're keen to see who wins. A feel-good film (particularly if you're American).
7/10
WATCH IT HERE
*And some should not even be featured in the film - like the boy who blatantly has Aspergers!
The remark above was all it took for me to finally watch "Spellbound" - a documentary about the American National Spelling Bee.
Eight teenagers hoping to win the Spelling Bee trophy are followed from their hometowns to Washington D.C. Here, they compete to spell their way to victory, glory, and the American Dream.
Trophies and competition are practically synonymous with American culture, and for the competitors, the Spelling Bee represents a first step towards a successful life. Most of them come from immigrant families, and express a strong desire to make something of themselves. And where else is this possible but America: land of the free (as we're continually reminded), and country where anyone can excel with hard work?
Apart from the blatant flag-waving, "Spellbound" is an interesting slice of life. It opens a door into an adorably geeky world, and shows the successes and failures of young teenagers in quest of their dream. Some you root for, some you pity (particually the ones with the over zealous parents), and some you cringe at.*
Despite being a little too long, the journey is entertaing, and you're keen to see who wins. A feel-good film (particularly if you're American).
7/10
WATCH IT HERE
*And some should not even be featured in the film - like the boy who blatantly has Aspergers!
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