Washington, Feb 11 (.) The makers of the documentary ‘The Bulldogs’, which chronicles the lives of residents in a small Ohio town following a devastating chemical train derailment in 2023, have released the film’s teaser ahead of its premiere at the 2026 Slamdance Film Festival.
According to Deadline, the documentary explores how residents confront existential fears about their town’s future amid intense media attention. Among those featured are a retiree who leads cardio-drumming classes for older women and has started a podcast sharing uplifting stories from East Palestine, and a local chiropractor-turned-activist who decides to run for Congress.
The film captures high school football games and holiday variety shows, finding moments of humour and tenderness in the everyday experiences that bind a community together, Deadline reported.
The teaser opens with a man declaring that the “trains built” East Palestine, Ohio, where the derailment occurred, before transitioning to footage of the accident and the town’s present-day condition.
Directed and produced by Ohio-based filmmakers Noah Dixon and Ori Segev, who have deep roots in the region, the documentary was filmed over an extended period, allowing it to examine not only the immediate aftermath but also the long-term emotional and psychological effects on the community. The Bulldogs is produced by Loose Films, with the teaser shared on the company’s YouTube channel.
The ‘Slamdance Film Festival’ kicks off on February 19 in Los Angeles and runs through March 6.
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