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F(l)ag Football
By Yvonne Condes,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartfelt documentary about gay football league.
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F(l)ag Football
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What's the Story?
In F(L)AG FOOTBALL, director Seth Greenleaf follows three teams as they train for and compete in the National Gay Flag Football Championships. The New York Warriors appear to be the team to beat, with former NFL player Wade Davis at the helm. He's up against the intense Cyd Zeigler's L.A. Motion, as well as the Phoenix Hellraisers, the fun-loving team hosting the Gay Bowl. The players' intense love of the game is only part of the moving story of how they found their way to the biggest gay football event in the country.
Is It Any Good?
The film's best moments aren't about football at all; they're when the players talk about growing up loving the game and feeling conflicted about how society thinks they should act off the field. Wade Davis, former NFL player and coach of the New York Warriors team, hid his sexual orientation when he played professionally, not coming out until years later. It's his story and those of the other players from the around the country that are the most compelling.
There's a lot of talk about how to win and beat the other team, but there are also heartfelt moments when players talk about what it meant to them to find a place where they belonged and could be completely themselves. F(l)ag Football is a little slow in parts, but families interested in sports and inclusivity will find a lot of like. And the Gay Bowl game is exciting and emotional whether you're a football fan or not.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how F(l)ag Football is and isn't like other sports movies/documentaries. What sets it apart from similar movies? How is it similar?
Did you come to the movie with any stereotypes about football players -- or gay people? Did the film change your mind in any way?
Many of the players talk about how great it was to find a community. Why is a feeling of community so important? Do you have a group of friends who love the same things you do?
Talk about Wade Davis' story of coming out to his mother. What do you think about her reaction? What do you think you'd have done in his situation?
Should documentaries be fully objective? Why or why not? How do filmmakers' opinions and perceptions shape even "nonfiction" films?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 16, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: November 28, 2017
- Director: Seth Greeleaf
- Studio: Greenleaf Productions
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Humility , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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