Connie Smith

Before the Lonestar Rollergirls, before the Texas Rollergirls, before the emergence of 300+ rollergirl leagues across the globe... before all of this, there were the pioneers. In 2001 a rowdy group of Austin women were determined to ressurect an old sport, but with a new spin. This is the beginning of a revolution: Hell On Wheels is the ass-kicking documentary film telling the story of a group of Texas women who band together to resurrect roller derby for the 21st century. Emerging from the Austin music and arts scene, these women create a rock and roll fueled version of all-girl roller derby that has spawned the derby craze that's sweeping the nation. Currently there are two leagues packing houses and holding bouts in Austin, Texas. The success of these Texas leagues has inspired hundreds of women across the country to get on their skates and organize derbies in their own hometowns and cities. Hell On Wheels is the birth of the rollergirl revolution, chronicling the creation of the first modern-era women's roller derby league, the Lonestar Rollergirls and the breakaway league, the Texas Rollergirls. Filmed from the trenches, Hell On Wheels delivers the struggles and eventual success of the rollergirls as they construct a new sport and set forth to conquer the globe.

After focusing on the sport of hockey in his award-winning 2000 documentary “Home Game,” German filmmaker Pepe Danquart turns his lens on the Tour de France in this film that explores the effects of suffering and loss on those who devote their entire existence to winning the world's most famous bike race. For the men who partake in this grueling ride, physical suffering is par for the course as they push their bodies to the breaking point and beyond in hopes of gaining both the fame and fortune that comes with being a winner. Despite their unyielding dedication, however, success in the race is never guaranteed. For these individuals who dream of being the first to cross the finish line, the endless hours of physical and mental preparation can either make or break them when the starting horn sounds and the true race begins.

Before the Lonestar Rollergirls, before the Texas Rollergirls, before the emergence of 300+ rollergirl leagues across the globe... before all of this, there were the pioneers. In 2001 a rowdy group of Austin women were determined to ressurect an old sport, but with a new spin. This is the beginning of a revolution:Hell On Wheels is the ass-kicking documentary film telling the story of a group of Texas women who band together to resurrect roller derby for the 21st century. Emerging from the Austin music and arts scene, these women create a rock and roll fueled version of all-girl roller derby that has spawned the derby craze that's sweeping the nation.Currently there are two leagues packing houses and holding bouts in Austin, Texas. The success of these Texas leagues has inspired hundreds of women across the country to get on their skates and organize derbies in their own hometowns and cities. Hell On Wheels is the birth of the rollergirl revolution, chronicling the creation of the first modern-era women's roller derby league, the Lonestar Rollergirls and the breakaway league, the Texas Rollergirls. Filmed from the trenches, Hell On Wheels delivers the struggles and eventual success of the rollergirls as they construct a new sport and set forth to conquer the globe.

Before the Lonestar Rollergirls, before the Texas Rollergirls, before the emergence of 300+ rollergirl leagues across the globe... before all of this, there were the pioneers. In 2001 a rowdy group of Austin women were determined to ressurect an old sport, but with a new spin. This is the beginning of a revolution:Hell On Wheels is the ass-kicking documentary film telling the story of a group of Texas women who band together to resurrect roller derby for the 21st century. Emerging from the Austin music and arts scene, these women create a rock and roll fueled version of all-girl roller derby that has spawned the derby craze that's sweeping the nation.Currently there are two leagues packing houses and holding bouts in Austin, Texas. The success of these Texas leagues has inspired hundreds of women across the country to get on their skates and organize derbies in their own hometowns and cities. Hell On Wheels is the birth of the rollergirl revolution, chronicling the creation of the first modern-era women's roller derby league, the Lonestar Rollergirls and the breakaway league, the Texas Rollergirls. Filmed from the trenches, Hell On Wheels delivers the struggles and eventual success of the rollergirls as they construct a new sport and set forth to conquer the globe.