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The gorgeous Boathouse Row makes a starring appearance in the film, along with other iconic local sites like the Art Museum and airport. (Credit: GPTMC)

Philadelphia is no stranger to iconic sports movies (Rocky I-V, Invincible, Pride). Now Haverford native Sarah Thomas is adding to that list with Backwards, a rowing film she wrote and is starring in that is being filmed in the City of Brotherly Love.

Backwards, which gets its name both from the fact that in rowing you are facing backwards in the boat and that in life you sometimes have to go backwards to go forwards, is about an Olympic hopeful Abi Brooks whose dream is dashed when she is selected as an alternate for a second time.

Thomas, a rower and a Shipley graduate, got her inspiration for this film from her rowing mentor in college who left Williams College to train for the 2000 Olympics only to be named the first alternate. Thomas spent a year writing the script and another year raising money to shoot this independent film.

“Philadelphia is a major rowing city,” Thomas told us, on choosing Philadelphia as the backdrop for her film. “I think the film captures the beauty of the sport and the city.”

In addition to Thomas playing the lead character, the film stars James Van Der Beek (yes, Dawson from Dawson’s Creek) as Abi’s boyfriend, Glenn Morshower (from 24 and Transformers) as the Olympic coach and Margaret Colin (of Gossip Girl) playing Abi’s mother.

As you can imagine, a lot of the film takes place on the water, being shot by cinematographer Harlan Bosmajian who handled the rowing scenes for The Social Network (MORE A-list talent!). But the film is also a love story, so scenes were shot inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art and at the airport.

Thomas, as an area native and major Eagles fan, is excited to be filming in Philly. She told us:

“There are so many things I like about the city. The people are dynamic, the food is phenomenal, and I feel very lucky that we were able to shoot in every location we desired.”

Click here to watch a video interview with Sarah Thomas.

Backwards [IMDB]
Philadelphia stars in film about rower’s bid to make Olympics [Philadelphia Inquirer]