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Fast Girls is this summer’s hot new UK feature film, following a young and determined Shania Andrews along with 3 other dynamic ladies in their journey to achieving relay gold, all whilst overcoming their many adversities in the process.

At the centre of this feel good feature, you find Shania, played by Lenora Crichlow (star of hit BBC3 drama ‘Being Human’); a promising sprinter in pursuit of achieving sporting greatness, whilst desperately seeking a better life. After suffering the loss of her beloved mother, Shania finds herself staying temporarily with her aunt, whilst training hard with local shopkeeper/ coach (BAFTA nominated Phil Davis) to qualify for team GB in the upcoming World Athletic Championships. During her climb to success, we see her struggles in her inability to work as part of her new team, as well as find acceptance within her new middle class surroundings. This is also coupled with the lack of support given to her by troublesome older sister ‘Tara,’ played by former Eastender resident Tiana Benjamin.

Following her journey, we encounter another promising yet conflicted athlete in the form of Lisa Temple. Middle class Lisa, played by Lily James of Clash of the Titans II fame, is another hungry sprinter, who serves as Shania’s adversary throughout most of the feature. Desperate to derail Shania’s plans of victory, we also bear witness to her emotional turmoil, as she struggles to live up to her father’s championship past, amidst her ambition to seek his approval.

However it is ‘Trix’, played by Lorraine Burroughs, who truly serves as the pivotal heart wrenching story of the movie; as we follow the losing battle of the sought after sprinter’s fight in overcoming serious leg injury, in order to finally achieve her ultimate dream of winning gold at the major World event. However it is through this touching breakthrough moment that we finally see Shania willing to work cohesively like ‘silk’ with her fellow teammates, also forming a common bond with former enemy Lisa, helping lead them to victory in coveting the Gold.

Young award- winning director, Regan Hall, along with producer Damian Jones and co-writer Noel Clarke brilliantly execute the relatable nature of these athletes’ personal journeys, meanwhile sensitively highlighting serious subject matters such as the effect of the class divide found within our societies.

With great supporting performances from the likes of the hilarious Lashana Lynch (Belle), Dominique Tipper (Sarah) and no nonsense coach ‘Tony’ in the form of renowned Writer/Producer Noel Clarke (responsible for UK cult classics Kidulthood and Adulthood), this film is definitely a must see, just in time for our much anticipated Olympic summer.

Due for official release on the 15th June, this is sure to be the true underdog story of 2012.

Words by: Ebony Reid