The documentary MINNESOTA MEAN takes viewers into the thrilling world of roller derby, following the lives of six badass women as they chase after the ultimate prize, the Hydra. When the team’s top player gets sidelined with an injury, the question looms large: can they still clinch the victory? This isn’t a typical sports tale—it’s a raw and real look at the tough, independent women at the core of roller derby. A triumphant tale of grit and determination that shows how fierce women navigate a sport that demands teamwork as they juggle the demands of roller derby without giving up on their personal dreams.

Produced and directed by Dawn Mikkelson, MINNESOTA MEAN features roller derby athletes Brickyard, Hurtrude Stein, Smoka Hontas, Shiver Me Kimbers, Diamond Rough, and Switch Please. MINNESOTA MEAN also features the music of indie hip-hop artist Dessa.

“Being embedded with the Minnesota Roller Derby made for one of the most exciting years of my life. The strength and vulnerability the team shared with our cameras is a testament to the spirit of roller derby,” said Director Dawn Mikkelson. “These athletes are powerful, playful, and brutally honest, with a fierce commitment to one another. The film is full of the unexpected and intimate portrayals of these athletes’ lives, offering an inside look at their journeys both on and off the track. I hope MINNESOTA MEAN inspires more women and gender-expansive folks to join their local roller derby team and reimagine what power and community look like.”