Filmmaker Statement

Sheree Taylor is the matriarch of women's woodchopping in New Zealand. She paved the way for women to compete in a male-dominated sport – forming the women’s national team and winning countless titles. At age 67, she remains a fierce competitor. Yet when we began making this documentary, few were aware of her achievements. Sheree deserves to be celebrated, especially given the considerable challenges she faced along the way. Early on, men resented competing against Sheree. Later, she suffered the devastating loss of her husband and sawing partner, Alistair. After Alistair’s death, teammates Darcell Apelu and Alma Wallace rallied around her. Their bond shows us just how impactful sports can be for women on and off the field. It’s always challenging to succinctly tell a life story but I hope our documentary does Sheree’s justice. The film may not break boundaries but it reflects Sheree’s achievements, her relationships and her wonderfully no-nonsense approach to sport – and life.