Senior artistic swimmers (formerly known as synchronized swimmers) push physical, emotional and societal boundaries as they prepare for the U.S. Masters Artistic Swimming Championships in the documentary Unsyncable, set to World Premiere Hot Docs Canadian International Festival on May 3, 2023.
Written and directed by Megan Wennberg, Unsyncable, follows six senior artistic swimmers (aged 63 – 82) preparing for the U.S. Masters Artistic Swimming Championships (formerly synchronized swimming). One is going for gold, another knows she’ll come last, and others are going for community and the love of their team. They will all push physical, emotional and societal boundaries to get there. Collectively, they have lost partners, suffered injuries and contended with ageist assumptions about what they can do. But through it all, they keep swimming and they do it with a smile. Unsyncable is produced by Tell Tale Productions with producer Edward Peill and producer Erin Oakes.
Unsyncable’s eclectic cast includes world champion and synchro legend Sue Baross Nesbitt (68), rookie Ellen Scott (63), Cris Meier-Windes (68) of the San Francisco Tsunami LGBTQ+ team, former marine Luther Gales (82) and his teammates Monica Hale (68) and Joyce Clarke (71) of the Harlem Honeys and Bears (North America’s only all Black artistic swimming team). Together these athletes are a testament to perseverance, the resilience of the human spirit, and our endless capacity for growth at any age.
“By jumping in the pool and pushing their limits every practice, Sue, Ellen, Cris, Monica, Luther and Joyce kick back against the expectation that getting older means slowing down and succumbing to our limitations,” says Director Megan Wennberg. ”I hope they will inspire audiences to see aging in a new light – not as something to dread, but as something to aspire to as we all ‘rage against the dying of the light’ in our own unique ways.”
Following the Hot Docs Festival, Unsyncable will have a fall broadcast premiere on VisionTV, and a cross-Canada community outreach tour, including moderated screenings, with educational materials and discussion guides, encouraging active living amongst older adults.
Watch the trailer for Unsyncable.
World Premiere Screening – May 3, 8:15pm – TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 3
Additional Screening – May 5, 11:45am – Scotiabank Theatre, Cinema 5