Max’s ‘Bama Rush’ doc trailer teases crazy story behind viral TikTok phenomenon

Max has shared the trailer for his upcoming documentary “Bama Rush,” which follows the social media phenomenon born of University of Alabama students documenting their sorority recruiting experience.

The feature-length documentary will premiere on Warner Bros.’ merged HBO Max-Discovery + Max streaming platform. Discovery on May 23.

In August 2021, thousands of young women embarked on the longstanding tradition of sorority recruitment (aka rush week), but at the University of Alabama, incoming students filmed a variety of TikTok videos with the hashtag “Bama Rush”.

The potential sorority sisters posed for their ‘Get Ready With Me’, ‘Fit-checks’ videos and updates on whether or not they made it to the next round, while the sorority sisters documented behind the scenes, showing how the 19 houses are preparing for more than 2,500 girls to walk through their doors that week. Their footage provided – both familiar and unfamiliar ones – insight into the intense week-long event, making it a viral sensation that garnered more than 2 billion views.

The following summer, girls and would-be sorority fans were ready to embrace the cultural phenomenon. During the peak week of 2022, documentary filmmaker Rachel Fleit turned to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to follow four young women as they prepare to rush off to college.

The trailer indicates that the documentary will explore and analyze Greek life as an institution and the recent integration of Greek life at the University of Alabama, as well as the struggle young women face when entering and participate in a sorority. According to the press release, “Fleit explores the emotional complexities and issues of belonging in this crucial window into femininity.”

In August Variety confirmed that the film had begun production.

“Bama Rush” is executive produced by Fleit, Lizzie Fox, Casey Meurer, Kama Kaina and produced by Zachary Luke Kislevitz, Andrew Freston, Danny Gabai. Eric Lavoie served as co-executive producer alongside co-producer AJ Del Cueto. Drigan Lee served as editor, Wynne Ashley Bennett served as composer, and Lidia Nikonova served as cinematographer. Max presents the VICE Studios production.

The documentary will premiere on Max on May 23. See the full trailer below.