When producer Jessica Devaney first traveled to Israel/Palestine, she arrived with the support of the Wake Forest University religion department to study gender and nationalism.

So kudos to the Old Gold & Black for helping to pave the way for Speed Sisters, a totally amazing documentary about female Palestinian car racers.

The Arab world’s first women’s racing team is riddled with interpersonal tension, surrounded by chaos and occupation — at one point the team leader witnesses a clash between the Israeli army and Palestinian kids at a checkpoint, and in another a team member is hit with a projectile from the army while trying to train — and fighting for fair treatment from their association. 

Speed Sisters explores the women’s varied definitions of femininity as well as what it means to be a team; there’s considerable beef between members for a whole host of legitimate reasons, but most or all of the speed sisters easily motor their way into viewers’ hearts from the jump.

Speed Sisters screens on April 13 at 4:30 p.m. at A/perture 2 and April 14 at 8 p.m. at Hanesbrands Theatre.

— Eric Ginsburg

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