It was lovely to reconnect with Filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson for the upcoming release of her latest documentary, MINNESOTA MEAN. Dawn and our Gadi Elkon talked about her team, getting to use Dessa’s music and the incredible ladies of Minnesota Mean.
A year in the lives of six members of the Minnesota Roller Derby, as they compete to win the Hydra, the top international prize of the sport. When the star of the team gets injured, will her teammates find their own power?
MINNESOTA MEAN is a human drama about the pounding heart of roller derby: powerful, self-sufficient women. It’s a vital and relevant story of triumph, loss, strength, determination, and a search for balance between individuality and community. How do women who pride themselves on their hard-won independence thrive in a sport that requires them to rely on a team? How do they meet the full-time demands of the sport without sacrificing their own dreams for life outside the rink? A meditation on strength: in our bodies, our hearts, our minds, and our friendships.
In their conversation Dawn and Gadi talk about the many folks that made this story come to life. They also dived into the incredible women that make up this inspiring team. But a giddy Gadi got to start their chat by talking about his love of DESSA. The acclaimed artist/author/activist’s music is a major element of the roller coaster that is Minnesota Mean.
Interview with Filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson:
The film holds its World Premiere this weekend at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival and will travel to sunny Florida Film Festival in the following days.
For more information and tickets: minnesotameanfilm.com/.
