Double Dare

When Hollywood made PSAs against film piracy, who was presented as a sympathetic, salt-of-the-earth movie laborer with a threatened livelihood? Not a director, producer, or actor, but a stuntman, who truly risks life and limb for the lens. But what of stunt-women? This breezy peek behind the scenes pairs a rising ingenue with a founding-mother of the trade. In the 1970s Jeannie Epper cat-fought Pam Grier and leapt tall buildings in Lynda Carter's “Wonder Woman” breastplate. At 60 she's still on her game, but not immune to ageism and biases afflicting women in showbiz as she hustles more gigs. Halfway around the world is New Zealand's Zoe Bell, a young gymnast doubling Lucy Lawless as Xena, Warrior Princess. With “Xena” shooting its final episodes, Zoe decides to relocate to Los Angeles and nabs a career-making audition with Quentin Tarentino. From high falls to kung-fu brawls, DOUBLE DARE is the CIFF's strongest infusion of girl power. Just ask Steven Spielberg who is a featured commentator.