Figures of Speech

FIGURES OF SPEECH follows four duo teams from four different states over the course of one year, culminating at the National Speech and Debate tournament in Las Vegas. The teams represent a cross-section of American high school students. We travel with them to tournaments, to school and into their homes. We’re with the teams as they learn to work together creatively, physically and emotionally. The movie brings to life the experiential rush of live Speech performance and competition and also incorporates the drama of a coming-of-age story. Each team must grapple with their own challenges: parental pressure, academic stress, sexual identity, failure, success and falling in love.