Spellbound
Screening: 20 September 2004
USA 2003
Directed by Jeffrey Blitz
92 minutes
Synopsis
This delightful, award-winning documentary tells the story of eight American children as they participate in the 1999 National Spelling Bee. At first we are introduced to the contestants and see how this extremely varied group of youngsters set about the challenge, what motivates them, their training methods and how their parents and siblings react. We glimpse their home lives and gain an insight into their personal attitudes.Then the action turns to the competition itself – all the children have already won their regional heats and now have to face the finals in Washington D.C. The tension is palpable as we watch the eight struggle with words they have certainly never heard before and are extremely unlikely ever to use again. As the words are read out to them, they gasp, bite their lips, frown and wring their hands, straining to put together the correct letters and we are right there with them.
Those that fail to make it through to the next round show amazing grace and fortitude despite their disappointment. When setting up the film, director Jeffrey Blitz was fortunate enough to have chosen to follow the fortunes of the youngster who went on to win, so the final few rounds of the competition are nail-biting stuff.
