The workers who care for the horses at Churchill Downs are the focus of a film being screened at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville.
“Backside” honors the Kentucky Derby’s “unsung heroes,” according to Louisville Tourism.
The documentary by Raúl O. Paz-Pastrana “shines a light on the immigrant workforce caring for racehorses.”
“Filmed over five years by an all-LatinX team, Backside offers an intimate portrait of grooms and workers whose labor begins before dawn and sustains one of America’s most celebrated sporting traditions,” says the release. “The film debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and now comes to Louisville with CINEMA+ post-film conversations featuring the director, producers, and grooms themselves.”
On Sunday, Sept. 28, a Community Day will include a Spanish-language screening and discussion, along with family art activities and tours highlighting Spanish-speaking and Latin diaspora artists.
“‘Backside’ challenges us to look beyond the spectacle of the Derby and see the dignity and resilience of the community that sustains it,” said Dean Otto, curator of film at the Speed.
The Museum is partnering with the Backside Learning Center, a nonprofit based at Churchill Downs that supports backside families, reflecting a shared commitment to telling Louisville’s stories with care, says the release.
More information including times, prices and a “Backside” trailer can be found here.
