“Pop Star on Ice”

Next Sunday, Pop Star On Ice, a documentary following U.S. figure skater Johnny Weir, is going to be shown at the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival here in Los Angeles. I’m planning on attending, and I’m really looking forward to see how directors James Pellerito and David Barba capture the life of a figure skater–the hard work, the sacrifice, and definitely the drama.

So far the film’s received some great reviews including a rave review in last month’s Variety:

Smartly structured, crisply lensed docu “Pop Star on Ice” is a fascinating portrait of outspoken Olympian and three-time U.S. figure skating national champion Johnny Weir. Smoothly incorporating archival footage, debuting directors David Barba and James Pellerito trace Weir’s emergence on the scene at the relatively late age of 12, his long relationship with coach Priscilla Hill, penchant for furs and fashion, and recent competition difficulties. Featuring plenty of dazzling skating–from Weir and chief rival Evan Lysacek–the pic is prime fest fare that could stir up biz on the cinematheque circuit before segueing into broadcast.

I think it’s great that skating is getting slightly more attention, and hopefully this film will gather some more mainstream support for the sport and one of its most prominent and exciting stars. I’m also looking forward to the eight-episode television series to be aired this winter prior to the Olympic Games. Hopefully giving an audience the opportunity to get to know a skater off the ice will gives fans a greater incentive to watch skating, thus boosting the sport’s television ratings.

I’ll be posting a review of the documentary following the festival, so be on the lookout for that. Have any of you been able to see the film yet at any of its previous showings? If so, leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

In the meantime, I’m having a great time watching the trailer. Johnny is quite a character, and he is someone who I believe has the ability to medal at next year’s Games–if he is able to keep his head together.