Women in Fire

"Playing With Fire" is a gripping and thought-provoking documentary that follows the powerful story of Abby Bolt, a seasoned firefighter who bravely stands up against a system rife with gender discrimination and harassment. The documentary delves into Abby's experience with both sexual harassment and the retaliation she faced after reporting it. Abby's courage in speaking out, despite overwhelming adversity, is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The film is both a call to action and a testament to resilience, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the challenges women face when they break their silence. "Playing with Fire" is a documentary that stays with you long after the credits roll, shining a necessary spotlight on the need for systemic change.

As Director of the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival, I review hundreds of film that are submitted from filmmakers around the world. While the festival screens dozens of films of all genres every year, only three films are selected for the coveted showcases -- Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night. Along with the festival's programming team. We unanimously chose "Playing With Fire" as the Closing Night Film of the 2023 edition of our festival. This film not only reflects our mission as a nonprofit organization to cultivate diversity in cinema, it also was just very good filmmaking. At the end of the film's screening at our festival, I could tell the audience was as moved as I had been when I first viewed it. Kudos to filmmaker Deborah Attoinese for her extraordinary documentary.

Playing with Fire is a deeply moving and impactful documentary directed by Deborah Attoinese, which tells the harrowing story of Abby Bolt, a female firefighter who bravely comes forward after experiencing sexual abuse within her fire company. The film shines a light on the struggles women face in male-dominated industries, particularly the fire service, and the systemic harassment that too often goes unnoticed or unaddressed.

Attoinese takes viewers through Bolt's journey, showcasing not only the traumatic harassment she endured but also the arduous battle she faces when she seeks justice. The institutions that are meant to protect her seem to falter, drowning her in bureaucratic red tape as she fights for years just to have her case acknowledged.

The film highlights a shocking and all-too-familiar statistic: "63% of female firefighters in the U. S. Forest Service experience gender discrimination and sexual harassment." Bolt's story reflects this grim reality, but it also serves as a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of such adversity.

Attoinese's documentary is skillfully produced and poignantly addresses these critical issues, offering a compelling portrayal of how difficult it can be for women to speak out in industries dominated by men. Playing with Fire is not just a story of one woman's struggle but a larger commentary on the institutional failings and cultural challenges that allow such injustices to persist. A must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the pervasive issue of workplace harassment and the ongoing fight for equality.

Having worked as a female firefighter then a police officer in a male dominated, good old boy environment myself I would have to say this is the only movie I have seen that does an adequate job of what it is like to experience harassment and sexual assault as a woman in a male dominated field. Deborah does a fabulous job of capturing the emotional feelings, and essence of what Abby had to deal with. Having her tell it in her own words shows the authenticity of what she felt and was dealing with, but had not been able to share in this way. Kuddos to Deborah and Abby, love this movie, well done.

Women In Fire is a documentary directed and produced by Deborah Attoinese.

The film begins thick in the action of a fire in the canyons of Colorado and juxtaposes between the destruction and present as documentary subject Abby Bolt attempts to grapple with the potential consequence's of reporting being sexually assaulted by a colleague in the U. S Forest Service.

Abby is a charismatic and engaging person director Deborah is aware of this and doesn't get too involved and wisely stays off camera allowing her protagonist to tell her story in her own words. She is a loyal friend- the cool calm collected one you rely on in an emergency.

I couldn't help but get the sense Abby is most at ease surrounded by chaos and dangerous situations like the ones she regularly encounters with fire. Having worked a long career alongside first responders myself i definitely related to that element.

Bolts life is an open book charting her rise from humble beginnings in rural Colorado to becoming the battalion commander of a team of elite firefighters and the U. S Forest Services subsequent failure on every level to support her when the unthinkable happens. She faces bureaucracy and incompetence at every turn detailed in a series of letters from her superiors read out loud.

When Bolts case begins to gain attention on a national level they begin to uncover a very disturbing pattern in the Forest Service in regards to how women are treated.

The documentary isnt completely free of optimism as it demonstrates positive changes in the culture as a result of Abbys courage with the number of female fire fighters rapidly increasing.

Women In Fire is an inspiring film about confronting injustice reinvention and above all survival.