Jillian Schlesinger’s documentary “Maidentrip,” which follows Dutch 14-year-old Laura
Dekker’s seabound excursion to become the youngest person to sail around the
globe solo, has been snapped up for US distribution by First Run Features. Check out the film’s first trailer below, exclusively on TOH!
Dekker’s voyage announcement was met with a highly publicized custody
battle in 2010. But in the film, Schlesinger instead chooses to focus on a portrait of Dekker as a
sailor — alone, unconventional and fiercely independent for her years. The young captain of the Guppy is an engaging subject, with
a mix of ballsy determination and honest vulnerability. While Schlesigner
checks in with Laura at her various port stops, all footage at sea is shot
exclusively by Dekker.
The film had its world premiere at SXSW earlier this year, where it scored the Audience Award in the Visions program.
Our TOH! review of the film is here. First Run will open “Maidentrip” January 17 at the IFC Center in New York.
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