‘Spelling the Dream’ follows an amazing winning streak

Posted on June 12, 2020

By MARK VIOLA

Netflix is well-known at this point for releasing countless original movies and television series each month. If you’ve been following this page since the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, you’ve had a taste as I have done my best to keep up with everything film-related coming out on Netflix and the rest of the major streaming services each week.

Netflix specifically has also been very active releasing documentaries over the past several years, earning several high-profile Academy Award nominations in the category, although it has yet to win. That’s mostly thanks to the company’s continued feud with Hollywood in general, but that’s a discussion for another day.

For now, I want to talk about the latest documentary to hit Netflix’s online shelves, “Spelling the Dream.”

Directed and co-written by Sam Rega (“League of Millions”), the documentary chronicles the domination of the Scripps National Spelling Bee by those of Indian-American descent, including winners of the past 12 straight competitions.

Complete with sleek production values and a wide-range of interviews, “Spelling the Dream” sets out to knock down many of the preconceived notions many might have about this streak. However, while it rightfully tackles some of the negative responses the streak has received from certain circles, it never forgets that its main purpose is to celebrate the young people who are dominating the sport of spelling.

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