Speed Sisters

Vroom vroom! The five women of the “Speed Sisters” Middle Eastern racecar team show off their fancy motor skills and share their lives in this documentary from director Amber Fares. Speed Sisters focuses on the ladies' varied backgrounds (“I noticed her talent since the day she stole the car when she was 11 years old!”), as well as family support (or non-support), and relationships (romance issues and wedding preparations are involved here). Viewers are often reminded of the rough West Bank wartime conditions of the Israeli occupation, with constant fighting, curfews, and stringent ID checks. At one point, as the women head to practice near the Qalandia military checkpoint, a team member is hit with a teargas shot (although, as another says with bravado, “Why would I stop practicing because of Israeli soldiers?”). Chronicling two racing seasons, Fares follows the women as they work on their vehicles and race against each other, with onscreen commentary and footage shot inside and outside the cars. A poignant slice-of-life portrait touching on competitive sports, stereotypes about femininity, and Middle East conflict, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)