The primal origins of ball sport are poignantly depicted in Wild in the Streets, a years-in-the-making documentary from director Peter Baxter shot by Park Pictures‘ Lance Acord.
The film places a spotlight on the centuries old practice of the ancient Shrovetide ball game still practiced with great passion and bodily risk by the hardy denizens of Ashbourne, England. A forerunner of soccer, football and rugby, the sport involves two teams, over a thousand strong each, with goals miles apart on the opposite sides of the town. A ball is thrown into the center of the town square and it’s every man for his team, the only rule being whichever team carries the ball with no motorized assistance to the goal the most times in two 8 hour days wins the coveted ball.
“An ancient game is the lifeblood of an English market town,” notes the film website.

According to director Baxter at a Santa Monica, CA screening last night, Acord spent part of the event shooting from a crane in the town square. The play amongst the teams of thousands became so rough at times that the shooter was rocked to and fro on his perch by the ‘Up’ard’ and ‘Down’ard’ teams in battle.
Credits:
Director: Peter Baxter
DP: Lance Acord
Music Composition: Matt McKenna
Music: Oasis, The Duke, Spirit, Mercury Rev
Editors: Jay Nelson, Steve Prestemon
Producer: Peter Baxter, Jimmy Zalcman
Asso. Producer: Kirt Eftekhar, Jonny Fink, Scott Henry, Jay Nelson, Steve Prestemon, Randy Wooten
Written By: Peter Baxter, Jay Nelson

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