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Playing with Fire

Play trailer 2:33 Poster for Playing with Fire 2023 1h 6m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
This is the story of Abby Bolt, a former Rodeo Queen and single mom who climbed the ranks to Battalion Chief of an elite team of firefighters for the U.S. Forest Service. In 2012, this incredibly brave 22-year-veteran was sexually assaulted and raped by a fellow firefighter. But the assault didn't stop there. She subsequently filed a police report and found she was now a pariah within her own ranks. Unsupported. Unappreciated. And unsafe. "Playing With Fire" is the story of this one woman's battle against a monolithic foe. It begins to reveal the drastic dysfunction and gender discrimination that exists within the U.S. Forest Service, an organization whose firefighting members must rely on teamwork, support, and unconditional dependability to survive. To females in the U.S. Forest Service, the fight doesn't end with the fire.

Critics Reviews

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Tim Cogshell CineGods.com "Playing with Fire" recounts not only the specific incident -- that propelled Abby to call on the Fire Service to account for what happened to her but for the culture of the U.S. Fire Service that allows this behavior to run rampant and unchecked – still. Rated: 3/4 Sep 17, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member EQUALITY FOR ALL WOMEN I can't help but feel how important this documentary is-not just for our female firefighters, but for all women. The urgent issue at hand is to stop harassing women in the workplace and let them get on with their jobs. And life. Abby's story is a moving and inspiring one. This captivating film is a wake-up call for change-let's hope we have the courage to answer the phone. Bravo! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/21/24 Full Review K W "Playing With Fire" 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/21/24 Full Review Don F Having known Abby personally, and having worked with her on numerous fires, she is one of the most positive, professional, and great leaders I've ever worked with in my 50 years in the Fire Service! Abby, although very humble, is a fighter, and as the movie indicates, she will not back down when she sees a significant wrong being covered up, and being brushed under the table. Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment is not isolated to just the United States Forest Service, but throughout the Fire Service, and other professions as well. We as a society need to speak up about this, not let it just be swept under the table, and deal with this, holding people accountable for their personal actions, if we ever expect there to be a change in this culture! Please share this video far and wide, as this is a problem plaguing our Fire Service, our Military and our Society! We as a Society can put a stop to this type of ugly, evil treatment to other human beings! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review Andrew W Playing With 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 consequences 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 opening 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. 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 isn't 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. Playing With Fire is an inspiring film about confronting injustice reinvention and above all survival. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/05/24 Full Review Catherane S An outstanding documentary a Abby Bolt and her heroic journey as she shares her experience against a backdrop of continued psychological abuse and discrimination. It's amazing that in the 21st Century we're still dealing with the same issues as in the past. The interviewees are open and make a strong case, as does the strength from her family and partner. There were times when I got choked up watching them, especially her dad, mother and sister. It's obvious where her strength comes from. This documentary shows the American people an understanding that only a film such as this can. God Bless Abby Bolt. May she take strength in the certainty that she did the right thing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/03/24 Full Review Robin L Wonderful important film by filmmaker Deborah Attoinese. This film shines the light on the sexual and emotional abuse female firefighters have gone through for years by the male dominated industry in the US Forest Service. These women were continually harassed, threatened and ultimately raped. One of them was Chief Abby Bolt who endured this kind of discrimination and abuse for 20 years of her career. This girl has heart and gives you a deeper understanding of that world. Highly recommend!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/03/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Playing with Fire

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Movie Info

Synopsis This is the story of Abby Bolt, a former Rodeo Queen and single mom who climbed the ranks to Battalion Chief of an elite team of firefighters for the U.S. Forest Service. In 2012, this incredibly brave 22-year-veteran was sexually assaulted and raped by a fellow firefighter. But the assault didn't stop there. She subsequently filed a police report and found she was now a pariah within her own ranks. Unsupported. Unappreciated. And unsafe. "Playing With Fire" is the story of this one woman's battle against a monolithic foe. It begins to reveal the drastic dysfunction and gender discrimination that exists within the U.S. Forest Service, an organization whose firefighting members must rely on teamwork, support, and unconditional dependability to survive. To females in the U.S. Forest Service, the fight doesn't end with the fire.
Director
Deborah Attoinese
Producer
Deborah Attoinese, Susan Moewe, Kay Brown, Patricia Gilger, Heather Grillo, Katrina Wood
Distributor
Indie Rights
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 22, 2024
Runtime
1h 6m