DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Maria Vattimo, Director

As a Philadelphia native, a woman, and a filmmaker, Underdogs is a deeply personal story for me. Initially, the film aimed to document the process of the nonprofit, Make the World Better’s most ambitious project to date: the complete reconstruction of the Vare Recreation Center in Grays Ferry, South Philadelphia. However, as I delved deeper into the project, I realized that the true essence of the recreation center’s story could best be told through the eyes of the kids who call Vare their second home.

The Vare Recreation Center serves numerous community members through basketball teams, football teams, and after-school programs. Yet, the narrative that stood out most to me was that of a recreational gymnastics team that, against all odds, exists and thrives. Gymnastics is typically seen as an elite sport, with high costs and a short competitive lifespan, often accessible only to those in affluent suburban neighborhoods or elite athletes on the Olympic track. It is exceedingly rare to find a gymnastics program in an impoverished neighborhood that competes against wealthy clubs in the surrounding area.

This team, led by Coach Kristin Smerker since 1997, provides an invaluable opportunity for young kids in South Philadelphia that they might not otherwise have. Humble, supportive, and driven, the coaching staff goes above and beyond to help these young athletes become the best versions of themselves. These gymnasts embody the critical importance of investing in our youth, not just in Philadelphia but in cities worldwide. Our children are the future, and if we provide them with the tools, community, and space to succeed, our world will undoubtedly become a better place.