She Shears is a documentary film that delves into the world of competitive sheep shearing in New Zealand. The film takes a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of five female shearers as they prepare for the Golden Shears, the biggest competition in the country. The film is directed and produced by Jack Nicol. The documentary introduces the audience to Hazel Wood, an experienced shearer and a mother of three, who is looking to win her sixth Golden Shears title. Catherine Mullooly is another shearer, who is determined to prove herself and win the competition for the first time. The film also follows the journey of young and ambitious Pagan Karauria, the first Maori woman to make it to the finals of the competition, and Emily Welch and Sarah Higgins, two determined shearers, who are looking to make a name for themselves in the male-dominated industry.
The film not only showcases the physical and mental challenges that come with competitive sheep shearing, but also explores the personal stories of the female shearers. We learn about their struggles and successes in a male-dominated industry and how they are defying traditional gender roles by pursuing their passion for wool harvesting.
The documentary also sheds light on the history and tradition of sheep shearing in New Zealand, a country that has a long-standing love affair with wool. We see how the art and skill of sheep shearing has been passed down from generation to generation, and how it has become an integral part of the country's cultural heritage.
One of the highlights of the film is the intense and nail-biting competition scenes. The Golden Shears is not only a test of physical endurance and skill, but also a test of mental fortitude as the shearers have to battle nerves and adrenaline. The film captures the highs and lows of the competition, as the shearers give it their all to try and win the coveted trophy.
The film's cinematography is stunning, capturing the beauty of New Zealand's countryside, as well as the intricacies of sheep shearing. The sound mixing is also noteworthy, with the bleating of sheep and the rhythm of the shears giving the film a visceral quality.
Overall, She Shears is an inspiring and heartwarming documentary that celebrates the courage and tenacity of female shearers in New Zealand. It is a film that not only educates the audience on the art of sheep shearing, but also shows how passion and perseverance can break down gender barriers and lead to success.
She Shears is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.
