On October 11, the premiere of the documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” took place, in which the actor’s family took part. Including his three children.
After the accident, Christopher Reeve became an example for everyone to follow and a warrior fighting for people with disabilities. Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (McQueen) show us this struggle in their sad but inspiring story in “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.” This is a documentary film that hit Polish cinemas on October 11. A film that will bring us to tears, especially those of us who are old enough to remember this story. But we will not only experience sadness in this film. The most important thing is that the film is exciting and inspiring because Reeve never gave up, never gave up hope that he would walk again. Most importantly, he devoted all his efforts to creating a foundation that would help those who found themselves in the same situation. And he set an example so that other people with disabilities should never give up.
The actor himself was never able to get out of his wheelchair again, but 20 years after his death (October 10, 2004), his foundation is still fighting for others to be able to do so. It’s a feat that even Superman himself couldn’t achieve. In the archival footage of the documentary, Christopher Reeve claims, “I have never been and never will be a hero,” but after watching the film, I couldn’t agree more with what the actor said.
The film’s directors, the same ones who surprised us with their documentary about the designer Alexander McQueen (2018), are able to touch our feelings from the first minute, starting with the driving accident that left the actor paralyzed. Then, step by step, they reconstruct his life. From the moment he was a young theater actor in London. And they do it with words recorded by Reeve himself, never-before-seen home videos and the testimony of the actor’s three children: Matthew Reeve (1979) and Alexandra Reeve (1982), the product of his relationship with Gae Exton (who was interviewed ) and Will Reeve (1992), born as a result of his marriage to Dana Reeve (1961–2006), who died only a year and a half after the actor from lung cancer.
The film also includes testimonies from other great Hollywood actors who knew him: Susan Sarandon, Glen Close and Whoopi Goldberg. There are also amazing archival photos showing his wonderful relationship with the late actor Robin Williams, who was one of Reeve’s most loyal friends before and after his accident (they were actually called brothers).
In the documentary, we witness how Reeve took his first acting steps in the theater and how everyone advised him against taking on the role of Superman, thinking that it would be an absurd film. And thanks to the persistence, effort and imagination of Reeve and Richard Donner (and the 100 people who made up the “flying unit”), they managed to make Superman fly, the movie was a success, and Reeve became one of the most popular and highest-paid actors of his generation .
As viewers, we also witness how his remaining film roles (despite Reeve’s efforts to demonstrate his talent and versatility) end in failure. The actor has only appeared in a few television films. To play one of these roles, he had to learn to ride horses (even though he was allergic) and has since fallen in love with horses.
“If he had been a centimeter higher, he would have died instantly. If he had been a centimeter shorter, it would have been an absurd fall,” emphasizes one of his sons after an accident that left him a quadriplegic.
Reeve was between life and death for a day, and when he regained consciousness, he thought about letting go. However, the words of his wife Dana motivated him to stay alive: “You are still you and I love you.” It was then that Reeve threw himself into the search for a cure for spinal cord injuries and became a passionate advocate for the rights and care of people with disabilities. And he became an example for everyone. Back then, when Reeve lived in hotels, he had to get there through the garage or kitchen. And it is thanks to his persistence that significant progress has also been made in facilitating mobility for people with disabilities.
Yesterday, October 10, the documentary premiered in Spanish cinemas. It’s been exactly 20 years since Christopher Reeve died at the age of 52. We can’t imagine a better way to commemorate a man who showed us that real heroes are those who overcome their limitations and do what they can to help others.
