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Are There Such Roller Derbies in Real Life?
posted by sheaulleSTAFFMOD on February 27, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Hi all!
Just having watched the movie I wonder if there are such roller derbies in real life. All I could find on YouTube are movies taking place at quite clean looking stadiums with referees in clean uniforms and very organized events. Are there roller derbies "in the wild" like in the movie with their participants being part of a 1970s loving sub culture? If so, is it a phenomenon of the Noughties?
Reply by rooprect
on May 6, 2018 at 5:54 PM
I know it existed as recently as 2006 because there was an awesome reality series on A&E about the TXRD. It looked a lot like the movie with matches held in an old warehouse which looked like a serious fire code violation. You're right, all the videos today look like they're in a proper sporting arena. If you can get your hands on the A&E series "Rollergirls" I think you'll really like it. It features the real Holy Rollers and Hurl Scouts as well as a bunch of other teams. I'm sure "Whip It" was really influenced by that show.
Reply by sheaulle
on June 2, 2018 at 8:18 AM
Thank you! Looking "like a serious fire code violation" sounds wild enough. :-D I think I'll find the series anywhere, already found something on vimeo, but it was in French.
Reply by rooprect
on June 2, 2018 at 11:40 AM
I know, I had to ebay it myself, but I think it's worth owning! Each episode has the same basic structure: the first half is some random life drama between the girls, and the second half they strap on some skates and pummel the living snot out of each other. Truly a masterpiece of tv 😂