A documentary about a group of Eastside female bicyclists who aim to combat stereotypes and violence directed at women of color is set to air Monday on PBS. “Ovarian Psycos” premiered to critical acclaim at the SXSW Festival in Austin last year.
The women of the Ovarian Psyco-Cycle brigade combine activism with bicycling, riding through the streets of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. The women, who call themselves “Ovas,” often ride at night in places where women have been victims of violence. The group organizes bike rides to bring awareness to issues that affect women of color and working class backgrounds.
The brigade consists of 13 core members, all Latinas from the Eastside. According to Los Angeles Magazine, the film follows riders Xela de la X, founder of the Ovarian Psycos, original Ova Andi Xoch, and Evie, a new comer to the group. The feature-length documentary was directed and produced by Joanna Sokolowski & Kate Trumbull-LaValle.
“Ovarian Psycos” premieres on the PBS series “Independent Lens” on Monday March 27 but will be available to watch free online, beginning on March 28.
Here’s a clip from the documentary:
