Synopsis
Set in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate, where tomorrow’s leaders are groomed, GIRL TALK tells the compelling and timely story of five girls on a top-ranked Massachusetts high school debate team as they strive to become the best debaters in the United States.
The Newton South Debate Team is one of the largest in the country, with a diverse roster of debaters; nearly half are girls and many are first generation Americans. Unlike most of their elite competitors, Newton South is only allotted a part-time volunteer parent coach, and the team must rely on one another to master the art of debate.
Shot over five years, GIRL TALK offers a front row seat to leadership in the making, as each year varsity members step up to become captains and bear the responsibility of training and inspiring the novices. The girls set out to find their particular voices — perfecting their speaking and research skills, while grappling with confidence issues, and learning to weather the realities of fierce competition. For every debater, one of the keys to success is finding the right debate partner, and together developing a winning strategy that will take them to the national finals. But, for the girl debaters, they must also learn to navigate the implicit and explicit gender biases rife in the world of debate. Stats reveal that a greater percentage of boys make it to the finals, and more boys win. As we watch our five Newton South girls remain steadfast in their determination to overcome the odds, they remind us that equal rights and freedom of expression are worth fighting for, both within debate and beyond.
As we watch our five girls remain steadfast in their determination to overcome the odds, they remind us that equal rights and freedom of expression are worth fighting for, both within debate and beyond.
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Bella
Bella is a senior, a co-captain, a competitive debater, and a natural leader. She is excited about her new role – coaching the novices. But, as the debate season progresses, Bella is torn between her own ambitions as a debater and prioritizing her duties as captain. About to start to Brown University, Bella reflects on a vital lesson learned: “There is a huge progression from Freshman to Senior year – from how to build your own success in debate to asking yourself ‘how can I help the team?’”
Hannah
Hannah is a first generation American whose parents are refugees from Vietnam. Hannah feels an intense obligation to seize every opportunity her parents have created for her, especially debate. “Speaking up about politics and my beliefs is a privilege that my parents never had.” As a Sophomore, Hannah, paired with the much more experienced Bella, sometimes feels isolated in an activity that prioritizes team partnerships. The following year, when Hannah pairs up with her close friend Dan, she starts to feel more integrated within the team, begins to hit her stride as a debater, and enjoys helping the younger, shy novices.
Gil
Gil was born to Israeli parents and is an identical twin to Noy. As a Sophomore, Gil grapples with her soft, “feminine” voice that gets continually called out by judges. She wonders if she will ever have what it takes to make it as a champion debater and fulfill her dream to become captain. With her sister cheering her on, Gil finally starts to experience success.“There are winners and losers in debate, and I was just losing. But, then, it just pissed me off.”
Gaby’s
Gaby’s sports-obsessed family teases her about her new “nerdy” obsession. A natural born athlete, Gaby is a promising novice who understands the rigor that fierce competition demands. A gifted researcher, quick to grasp the intricacies of each monthly debate topic, Gaby struggles to find the confidence vital to winning. “I have always been super hard on myself…I have a fear of failure, of not being enough.” Throughout her debate career, she remains steadfast in her determination, while also exhibiting superb sportsmanship — cheering on others’ success, including her close friends Jay and Anika.
Anika
Encouraged by her parents to join the debate team, Anika falls in love with the activity and throws herself into the world of debate. At the prestigious Harvard Tournament, when Anika and Jay make it to the final JV round, they quickly earn a reputation as one of the new teams “to watch”. Yet, with success comes pressure, and Anika starts struggling with health issues. “I was getting sick all the time…I don’t ever want to disappoint my friends, my family. I know how every debate matters, every tournament matters.” As juniors, when Anika and Jay arrive for the second year in a row at the TOC (Tournament of Champions), Anika is already exhausted from a demanding debate season. Winning is not even on her mind. But, when she and Jay make it to the final round, the whole team is on pins and needles. Will Anika be the first female to win TOCS in nine years?