2020
TV-G
Netflix
1 h 22 m

2020
TV-G
Netflix
1 h 22 m

Summary Spelling the Dream explores the near two decade trend of Indian American students dominating the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Since 1999, 19 out of the 23 winners have been of South-Asian descent, including the last 11 in a row. Over the course of a year leading up to the 2017 Scripps Bee, "Breaking the Bee" follows four Indian-America...

Documentary

Directed By: Sam Rega

Written By: Chris Weller, Sam Rega

2020
TV-G
Netflix
1 h 22 m

2020
TV-G
Netflix
1 h 22 m

Spelling the Dream

Name: Spelling the Dream
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2020-06-03
Duration: 1 min 22 s
Rating: 64
Cast: Srinivas Ayyagari, Jacques Bailly, Valerie Browning, Ratnam Chitturi, Shourav Dasari

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Where to Watch

Documentary

Directed By: Sam Rega

Written By: Chris Weller, Sam Rega

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

57% Positive
4 Reviews

43% Mixed
3 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

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Mixed Reviews
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

57% Positive
4 Reviews

43% Mixed
3 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

IndieWire

Jun 4, 2020

A rousing documentary that’s equal parts inspiring, entertaining, and educational.

By Kate Erbland FULL REVIEW

Chicago Sun-Times

Jun 5, 2020

Spelling the Dream is a fresh take on the competition, focusing largely on the phenomenon of Indian-American dominance over the last quarter-century.

By Richard Roeper FULL REVIEW

The Hollywood Reporter

Jun 3, 2020

And in these troubled, terrifying times, as many of us are stuck at home simultaneously glued to, and existentially exhausted by, the news, Spelling the Dream is the kind of lighthearted but smart escapism you don't have to feel guilty about.

By Inkoo Kang FULL REVIEW

RogerEbert.com

Jun 3, 2020

Whoever advances to each respective next round, you want to root for these kids, and cherish the way they advocate for intellect at such a young age.

By Nick Allen FULL REVIEW

Wall Street Journal

Jun 5, 2020

There is often a pulsating musical score buoying the action, such as it is; family snapshots appear, the histories of the individual kids are told, their approaches to competitive spelling are explained, and there are interviews with mothers and fathers who, someone warns, should not be stereotyped as “tiger parents.”

By John Anderson FULL REVIEW

The Guardian

Jun 4, 2020

While it doesn’t have the same tense grip of Spellbound, it’s an amiable enough diversion.

By Benjamin Lee FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

Jun 5, 2020

Spelling the Dream is a film about winning, delivered with glossy visuals and a gratingly optimistic score that draws to a close with its champion showered in confetti — an obvious symbol for this overarching (and under-questioned) celebration of American multiculturalism.

FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Exit Zero Productions, Makemake

Release Date Jun 3, 2020

Duration 1 h 22 m

Rating TV-G

Genres

Documentary

Tagline The Indian-American spelling dynasty you've never heard of

Website https://www.facebook.com/breakingthebee

View All Details

Awards

Cleveland International Film Festival

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

CINE Golden Eagle Film and Video Competition

• 1 Nomination

Spelling the Dream

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Srinivas Ayyagari

Self

Jacques Bailly

Self

Valerie Browning

Self

Ratnam Chitturi

Self

Shourav Dasari

Self

Pawan Dhingra

Self

Ashrita Gandhari

Self

Sanjay Gupta

Self

Jaideep Janakiram

Self

Paige Kimble

Self

Hari Kondabolu

Self

Nupur Lala

Self

Tejas Muthusamy

Self

Balu Natarajan

Self

Kevin Negandhi

Self

Shruthika Padhy

Self

Shalini Shankar

Self

Akash Vukoti

Self

Rahul Walia

Self

Fareed Zakaria

Self

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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