TORCHED
TORCHED tells the story of the Austin Torch, a wild and fiery group of women/non-binary athletes in Austin who are trying to legitimize and professionalize their fringe sport of Ultimate Frisbee in a historically male-dominated sports industry.
As we follow the Torch on the road and at home during their 2022 season, we come to realize that though the Torch might not always win, they somehow never really lose, because it’s more than a team; it’s a movement.
The doc jumps right with the Torch’s history. Within the first ten minutes, the audience understands the importance of creating a women’s ultimate league. Eschewing the claims that female sports aren’t profitable, ultimate players did it themselves because that’s how we roll. If you want something done right, ask a woman to do it.
I played ultimate during my high school summer days from 1995-1999. I know how the friendly trend became a passion. We never had a plan or assigned team, just a time of day and local, and we split down the middle and played our hearts out.
Anyone who enjoys the Wrexham form (and you should) will immediately gravitate to TORCHED. The film showcases a group of players, not just in their positions but their eclectic personalities. The team is overflowing with characters, and I loved all of them. 
We meet Coach Austin, who immediately acknowledges his cis white male privilege from the get-go. Torch co-founder “Bonesaw,” a former touring rocker, is their greatest ally. From finding venues, graphic design, sponsors, you name it, he makes it happen. Director Hoag Kepner is also the film’s editor, colorist, and sound mixer. Hoag also arranged and composed much of the score, which makes sense as he is not only Bonesaw’s former bandmate but also his brother. This multi-talented family tree allows the players and TORCHED to thrive.
An important aspect is providing a safe space for their non-binary and trans members. Self-esteem and acceptance transcend the field through their community work. They are the ultimate hype team.
If the notion that women’s sports don’t have an audience still exists, we can all agree that 2024 has put that myth to bed. TORCHED joins a growing number of sports docs focusing on diversity and is, shall we say, cherry-picked for cheers. It is ultimately awesome.
TORCHED–THE STORY OF THE AUSTIN TORCH trailer (YouTube):
Sports Documentary Sets Digital Debut for
North American VOD Platforms on August 20, 2024
TORCHED–THE STORY OF THE AUSTIN TORCH website: www.torcheddoc.com
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