“It was a very sweaty set,” laughs DW Waterson. The non-binary Canadian musician is talking to PinkNews about their new queer, coming-of-age sports film, Backspot. It’s Waterson’s feature directorial debut, but that doesn’t mean is a small endeavour.
star is the executive producer and actress Evan Rachel Wood stars as Eileen, a hard-as-nails lesbian cheerleading coach. The film has been in the works for more than six years. follows Riley ( ’ Devery Jacobs), a young queer woman driven by her desire to join Eileen’s all-star cheerleading squad, the Thunderhawks.
After being accepted on to the team, her pursuit for success takes dark turns. She neglects her fellow cheerleader girlfriend Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), risks serious physical injury and lets her mental health fall by the wayside. Backed up by an electric soundtrack (featuring everything from “Perfect” by Princess Superstar, to Dexys Midnight Runners classic “Come On Eileen” and Waterson’s own music), some very sweaty stunts – most of which Jacobs, an athlete herself, performed – and fizzing tension between all involved, the drama is a heart-pumping love letter to cheerleading, drive and queer identity.
: In the past couple of months, we’ve had Kristen Stewart’s sapphic bodybuilding tale , Zendaya’s bisexual tennis romp and now a lesbian cheerleading drama. Why do you think we’re in a queer sports era? It’s that gay sweat! Everybody wants that gay sweat before Pride month. I’m n.
