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Deep Dive: Spellbound (2002)

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Spellbound
Spellbound is a documentary directed by Jeffrey Blitz that follows eight competitors in the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The film captures their experiences before, during, and immediately after the competition, providing a glimpse into their lives and the pressures they face. Each speller's journey is presented, showcasing their backgrounds and aspirations, such as Nupur Lala, who won the bee by spelling 'logorrhea', and Angela Arenivar, who later pursued a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies. The film also shows the unique stories of the participants, such as Ted Brigham, who was the first to be eliminated and later passed away in 2007. The documentary received positive reviews and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, indicating its impact and recognition within the film community. It also won several awards, including an Emmy for Cultural/Artistic Programming.

Why Watch

  • •Meet spellers like Nupur Lala and Angela Arenivar.
  • •Find out how spelling bees shape young lives.
  • •See the emotional highs and lows of competition.

Did You Know

•Nupur Lala won the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee by spelling 'logorrhea'.
•Angela Arenivar won the 1999 Bee with the word 'crocodilian'.
•Ted Brigham was eliminated in the second round after misspelling 'distractible'.
•The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2003.
•In 2007, the film was ranked #4 in the IDA's Top 25 Documentaries.

Perfect For

Spelling enthusiastsDocumentary fansEducation advocates