The world of documentary filmmaking often relies on grit, vision, and occasionally, a literal “glitch in the Matrix.” For Bianca Mitchell-Avila, a young chess player and filmmaker from New Mexico, it took all three to land one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons, Keanu Reeves, as the executive producer for her debut project, “Madwoman’s Game.”
The story began when Mitchell-Avila was just 16. Inspired by her own journey in the male-dominated chess circuit, she envisioned a documentary that would empower female players. Her original “wild” idea? To conclude the film with an epic chess match against John Wick himself.
In 2021, she took a chance and sent a cold email to Reeves’ manager, hoping the actor might consider a small independent project. To her disbelief, Reeves responded the very next morning.
“I was struck by the tone, by the ambition, by the vision of it,” Reeves told Variety.
While the planned chess battle between the two was eventually cut during the film’s six-year development, Reeves stayed on as an Executive Producer. His role went far beyond a mere vanity credit. Despite his massive global schedule, including filming in Europe, he remained a constant mentor to Mitchell-Avila.
The young filmmaker recalled Reeves’ genuine engagement, noting that he once stepped off a film set to join a pitch meeting with Apple, sitting on a curb outside the studio just to show his support. For Reeves, the project was about the “chess feeling”, the sense of community the game creates, and supporting a creative vision he believed in.
Directed by Zach Zamboni, “Madwoman’s Game” is no longer just a student project. It has grown into a significant exploration of the “world of chess” rather than just the “academic side” of the game.
The documentary is set to make its world premiere at the Miami Film Festival on April 16. As for that elusive chess match? Both Mitchell-Avila and Reeves are keen to make it happen in person, away from the digital screens where their partnership first began.
