Venus and Serena

Invited

Venus and Serena Williams redefined the sport of tennis when they burst on the scene in the mid 1990s. Over the course of their careers they have won countless titles and, as witnessed in the film, amassed quite a sideline of famous fans. Everyone from Anna Wintour to Spike Lee, even President Bill Clinton, has strong opinions about their influence. Between fashion magazine shoots and sports broadcasts, they seem to have taken over the media, but we’ve never seen them quite like this. With unprecedented access, Michelle Major and Maiken Baird followed the Williams sisters over the course of their most difficult season yet. In 2011, Venus struggled with exhaustion caused by an autoimmune deficiency while Serena navigated the fallout of a pulmonary embolism. The stars are remarkably candid about both their success and the adversity fame has brought them and talk about the significant role that family has played in their careers. This vibrant portrait offers a rare glimpse into the intense days and nights of living icons.  ST

Directors

Maiken Baird, Michelle Major

Producers

Maiken Baird, Michelle Major

Editor

Sam Pollard

Cinematographers

Cliff Charles, Rashidi Harper, Stephanie Jones

Release Year

2012

Festival Year

2013

Country

United States

Run Time

99 minutes