Ah, rollerskating — the magical sport of trying to fall in the most dignified way possible as disco lights wash over you. Unlike the average skater, Minnesota’s women’s Roller Derby players embrace falling (along with pushing and shoving) as they compete on a team that has become a place of belonging and family.
Minnesota Mean, a documentary directed by Dawn Mikkelsen (Finding Her Beat) currently on the festival circuit, follows six members of Minnesota’s all-star roller derby team during their 2017 season. Throughout the year, these women skate through both personal and athletic challenges to try to make it to world championships. Following the trail blazed by films like Hell on Wheels (about the sport’s foundation in Austin), the film captures the oddly endearing sport in a way that highlights the skill and seriousness of the craft. With punchy team member names like “Shiver Me Kimbers” and “Hurtrude Stein,” it’s easy to fall in love with the world of Derby.
Refreshingly, the six highlighted team members have robust personal and family lives. In a world that tends to cast women’s sports to the side, it’s not often you see badass women athletes past the age of 30. Watching women sport competitively beyond the scope of a high school extracurricular in a way that gives their life purpose is special.
In some ways, the plot carries a certain tiredness. Many of the women stopped playing after the 2017 season, so some of them accepted the end of their derby careers. Over the course of the season and the film, two team members went on maternity leave, and by their final bout, two of the six main characters did not compete. Because the narrative of the movie focuses heavily on the sport itself, having people not show up is frankly disappointing.
Despite being marketed as a story about empowered women playing sports, the film doesn’t show all too much camaraderie or empowerment. There are no scenes of teammates together outside of their competition weekends or training. In shots outside of training, the women are often with their husbands. Right after our introduction to “Diamond Rough,” the interview immediately cuts to an interview with her husband. Their unfailing support is endearing, but too heavy-handed at times.
Still, I gained a new appreciation for Roller Derby – playing what seemed like football on skates cannot be easy – but at the same time, I was left wishing for more. Although, I might try to step up my game next time I hit the rink.
This article appears in April 28 • 2023.