Last Update: 5 July 2024
The first film about motorcycle trailblazer, Bessie Stringfield, will be coming to theatres. Stringfield was the first Black woman to ride a motorcycle across the United States.
After four years of extensive research and production, the short documentary, “To Myself, With Love, The Bessie Stringfield Story,” screened at the prestigious AmDocs Film Festival in Palm Springs. The film includes newly uncovered photographs, restored audio tapes, rare archival footage, interviews with people that knew Bessie Stringfield, the Pioneering Black Woman Motorcycle Trailblazer and exclusive footage of the 300 women motorcyclists of The Bessie Stringfield Ride.
Myself, With Love, The Bessie Stringfield Story
The year was 1930 and Bessie Stringfield was just 19 years of age when she set off on a journey across the segregated country. Later, she embarked on a barrier-busting career as a carnival stunt rider, WW2 Army dispatcher, and motorcycle club founder.
In the 1950s, she moved to Opa-Locka, Florida where Stringfield continued to ride her favourite bike, a Harley-Davidson, and make history into her ‘80s.
The film is produced by Diane Fredel-Weis (Minor Accident of War), Beth Hubbard (Citizen Ashe) and Kim Dawson (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Executive Produced by Academy Award nominee Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI) and Gabby Revilla Lugo (Illegally Brown).
“Trailblazer and legend Bessie Stringfield showed more mettle and courage than I have ever seen of a motorcyclist,” says Pollard. “This documentary recognises her important contribution to riding as an African American. This film is a must-see for anyone interested in the ground-breaking achievements of this dynamic lady.”
“We can’t wait to share Bessie’s story with the world,” says Fredel-Weis, who also directed the film. “We located and interviewed people that knew Bessie including a close riding friend of hers and the executor of her estate who provided us with valuable information and material.”
Finishing for the film was managed by LA post production studio, MOCEAN.
For more information, visit bessiefilm.com
