The D-Word: Chasing Dragons - documentary film

Genre: Human Interest and Sports
Synopsis: They battled cancer. Now they battle for gold. Chasing Dragons follows breast cancer survivors as they train to represent the US at the 2027 Dragon Boat World Championships. This film captures their grit, discipline, setbacks, triumphs, and the powerful bond that forms when survivors come together with a shared purpose. It’s about resilience, second chances, and redefining what strength looks like after cancer. It also showcases the edge-of-your-seats races at Worlds in Hong Kong.
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Told through intimate cinéma vérité storytelling and cinematic sports coverage, Chasing Dragons weaves together two parallel journeys:
The deeply personal process of reclaiming identity after breast cancer—navigating scars, fear of recurrence, altered bodies, and the persistent question: Who am I now?
The rigorous selection and training process required to earn a place on Team USA’s 2027 Breast Cancer Paddler crew.
We follow athletes balancing careers, families, recovery, and relentless training. Early mornings on the water. Grueling gym sessions. Setbacks and breakthroughs. Moments of doubt—and moments of transcendence.
As individual journeys of survival intersect with the collective pursuit of excellence, the film builds toward a dramatic international showdown in Hong Kong—where the meaning of competition is redefined.
Stage: in development
Running time: 60, 45 or 90 minutes

Chasing Dragons