When people want to make a documentary about a slice of Americana, they come to Reade, Texas and join the long, proud tradition of filming a season's worth of footage of the Reade Warriors football team. Here are some of the best ones out there, but even if you watch these, don't worry; there's five more Reade documentaries slated for release this year alone.
Justice In Reade
Four teammates on the Reade High School football team stand accused of a heinous crime, killing a four-year old girl after a drunken team celebration. The filmmakers take a look at the notion of innocent until proven guilty and what it's like walking and living life as a known suspect and football star in Reade, Texas.
Distinctions:
TriBeca Film Festival Best Documentary Feature
San Francisco International Film Festival
Telluride Film Festival Silver Medallion
Toronto International Film Festival
Once A Brother
The devastating tale of two friends, two teammates ripped apart by the pressures of winning the last roster spot on the acclaimed Reade High School football squad. A look inside the head and home of two distinctly American teens.
Distinctions:
Sundance Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Talinn Black Nights Film Festival Grand Prix
Toronto International Film Festival
To Be From Reade
Ever wonder what it's like to represent your family and county on the gridiron? This documentary takes a look at what it means to have - and keep - a spot on the high school football team, deep in the heart of Reade, Texas.
Distinctions:
TriBeca Film Festival
Telluride Film Festival Silver Medallion
Festival de Gramado
Cannes Film Festival Palm D'Or recipient
Toronto International Film Festival
Sparta Falls
Football isn't just a game in Reade, Texas: it's life. But what happens when a strict disciplinarian coach comes up against accusations of overworking his all-American teen charges? What wins out? Safety? Winning? Football? Sparta Falls takes on everything you know about Texas, high school and football.
Distinctions:
Ann Arbor Film Festival Best of the Festival
Warsaw Film Fesival
Mar del Plata Jury's Special Award
Toronto International Film Festival
We're From Reade
When you're representing your family and your county every Friday night, there are certain unspoken rules of respect that transcend age and class. We're From Reade takes a look at the generational aspects of being a high school football player in Reade, Texas.
Distinctions:
Shanghai Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize
South by Southwest
Toronto International Film Festival
Foot Out Of Football
What if you live in the American heartland but you have aspirations for so much more, far beyond the confines of Reade, Texas? Join the high school football team of course. Follow Brian Tanner's voyage from bright young linebacker trying to escape Texas through the only tributary anyone in the state knows: football.
Distinctions:
Raindance Film Festival Best International Feature
New York Film Festival
Valdivia International Film Festival Pudu Winner
Toronto International Film Festival
Reade Fights On
One bright Tuesday morning in September, the Reade High School football team comes to practice… and finds out about the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil in history. Together. A rousing tale of the inspiration teammates find in each other, and in football.
Distinctions:
Sundance Film Festival
Venice Film Festival Golden Lion
Pusan International Film Festival Sonje Award
Toronto International Film Festival
Bound And Lashed: Football And Sexual Assault In Reade
If you're young, handsome and play football for your high school in Reade, Texas, one might think of you as unassailable, untouchable. But is it true? Follow the story of Grady Elmore, quarterback for the Reade Warriors and see how complicated life in the heartland can be.
Distinctions
Karlovy Vary Crystal Globe Winner
Moscow Film Festival Main Prize
Sundance Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
Sons Of Reade
Growing up in Reade, Texas means a steady diet of eggs, milk… and football. Follow the Reade Warriors as they train together, play together and shoulder the hopes, fears and expectations of an entire county, and by extension, an entire country.
Distinctions:
South by Southwest Audience Award
Ann Arbor Film Festival
San Sebastian Film Festival Official Selection
Toronto International Film Festival
Learning To Reade
Football isn't something you go to school for in Reade, Texas. It's something you're born into. Follow the 1972 state champion Reade Warriors as they look to win back to back titles and shoulder the expectations of an entire town… and each other.
Distinctions
Tribeca Film Festival
Raindance Film Festival
Warsaw Film Festival Audience Award
Toronto International Film Festival