| |
|
|
Venus and Serena takes an unfiltered look into the remarkable lives of the greatest sister-act professional tennis has ever seen. In a sport where they were not welcomed, the indomitable Williams sisters faced the opposition with grace and courage not only breaking new ground for female and African American athletes everywhere, but dominating the women’s game for over a decade. The film tells the inspiring story of how these two women, against all odds, but with the help of visionary parents, made it to the top.
Venus and Serena also explores the struggle of these two aging superstars during the 2011 tennis season as they battle life and career-threatening health problems. In Venus and Serena we gain unprecedented access into the sisters’ lives - both in the spotlight and behind closed doors – and we watch as they draw their greatest strengths from one another to overcome countless adversities.
 
PRODUCED BY MAIKEN BAIRD AND MICHELLE MAJOR
EDITED BY SAM POLLARD
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ALEX GIBNEY
MUSIC BY WYCLEF JEAN
DIRECTED BY MAIKEN BAIRD AND MICHELLE MAJOR
Directors of Photography
Cliff Charles
Rashidi Harper
Stephanie Johnes
Associate Producer
Aimée deSimone
Associate Editor
Alex Keipper
Special Thanks Elizabeth and Jim Wiatt
Distribution Advisory Services
Cinetic Media
Additional Directors of Photography Henry Adebonojo
Maryse Alberti
Jeff Burson
Chris Dapkins
Kerwin Detracy Devonish
AJ Fielder
Wolfgang Held
Ronan Killeen
Stephen Kazmierski
Salvador Bolivar Madera
|
|
“An engaging, warts-and-all look at the Williams sisters, of interest to more than just sports fans. The footage of them together and apart, in the spotlight and behind closed doors, gives a far better sense of the sisters as sisters -- and as human beings living their lives -- than do reams of sports reportage and Internet celebrity gossip.” - Alissa Simon, Variety
“An enthralling and insightful documentary about two supreme sibling athletes. A must for tennis fans, it’s at its best when it goes behind-the-scenes with the sisters as they try and overcome injury, strain in the gym and on the training court.” - Mark Adams, Screen
“An engaging portrait that wins the game.” – David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
“An outstanding documentary.” – Kaleem Aftab, The Independent
“It gives us a lot more of the sisters than we've ever seen—they are a joy to watch, and you can’t help but root for them. It's tough to watch them and not be inspired by them.” – Tambay Obenson, Shadow and Act on Indiewire
|
|