Press
“…Inspiring….A trailblazing sports doc….Hoag Kepner, who also edited the documentary, structures the narrative beautifully, while the cinematography (also by Hoag Kepner) creates somewhat of an epic sports feel — primarily through sprawling overhead shots — to match the subjects’ big personalities and ambitions. Plus, the overall musical selections complement the main themes of each scene: slow big band music for goofy moments; heavy techno for game sequences.”
“…A cohesive piece that will thrill both fans of Ultimate and folks interested in equity….seeing the players get up to mischief off the field is fun, and their call to be more inclusive and to protect trans kids in their regressive home state of Texas comes at an important time.”
“I hope general audiences who aren't even into sports will watch this and think to themselves, what is in my life that I love this much? And how can I maybe recommit to that? Or maybe [they’ll] be inspired by this team to dive deeper into that passion of [theirs]. I hope they sort of reflect on that. And I hope also that they open their minds to the viability and entertainment factor of women's sports.”
“Torched follows the team's 2022 season, their first full season of play after the COVID-19 pandemic nearly shut down the league. Kepner goes into the history of the Torch, the sacrifices players make in the league and how it all connects to a broader conversation over women's sports and equity.”
“Anyone who enjoys the Wrexham form (and you should) will immediately gravitate to TORCHED. The film showcases a group of players, not just in their positions but their eclectic personalities. The team is overflowing with characters, and I loved all of them.”
“It’s the sort of thing I could see playing on ESPN….Filled with interviews and game footage the film carries us along as we fall in love with the players and want to pull up a stool and have a drink or two with them.”
“The more I watched Torched - The Story of the Austin Torch…the more its charms grabbed hold of me. It’s an infectiously positive film about a bunch of athletes who know it’s better to have a good time.”
“The players are all very likable and engaging, and Kepner does capture their camaraderie well. Their chant is ‘Look good! Feel Good! Play Good!’ and that motto sizes them up well.”