St. Louis - The First Saturday in May

Genre: Documentary

Release Date: 4/18/2008

Running Time: 96 mins

Director: The Hennegan Brothers

Cast: Frank Amonte, Barbaro, Peter Brette, Chuck Chambers, Dan Hendricks, Bob Holthus, Bonnie Holthus, Michael Matz, John McKee and Kiaran McLaughlin

Producer: Ellen Dux

Writer: Mark Krewatch and The Hennegan Brothers

Distributor: Truly Indie

Official Site: Click Here

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The First Saturday in May

Of the 40,000 thoroughbreds foaled in the U.S. annually, only 20 make the regal two-minute run that is the Kentucky Derby, a Mardi Gras–like spectacle that brings out bourbon-drinking gawkers and gamblers, crazy hats and Carson Kressley, apparently. Galloping towards the 2006 edition of this holy-grail event, the Hennegan Brothers’ zesty directorial debut trails the prep season of six diligent horse trainers, including an optimistic MS patient who works for the prime minister of Dubai and a wheelchair-bound dad whose passions are undeterred by the irony that an equestrian accident caused his paralysis. Many of the subjects, we learn, are quite victorious year after year, but the Hennegans are deft enough editors to convince us of a six-way underdog competition, and the track sequences can be real nail-biters. Of course, if you’re not already a fan, the multitude of stakes races—which makes up the film’s bulk—eventually gets tedious, and one wishes for more detail on the personal dramas, off-track hooks in plain sight (why introduce one trainer’s 71-year-old father, who wants to be the oldest winning jockey, in the final minutes?), and sport’s controversies (maybe co-distributor Churchill Downs Inc. doesn’t know about PETA?). First Saturday isn’t exactly a winner, but it places—if you’re feeling it, go ahead and tear up your tickets and throw ’em on the theater floor. - Aaron Hillis

Theaters showing The First Saturday in May
(Click on a showtime to purchase tickets)

Plaza Frontenac Cinema

1701 S Lindbergh Blvd.

Frontenac, MO 63131

314-995-6285

(1:10 PM), (4:00 PM), 7:05 PM, 9:35 PM

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