Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story and other documentaries at 15. AFF
“Not all heros wear capes” – this phrase recurs like a chorus every time we want to highlight the courage of ‘ordinary’ people, such as rescue workers, philanthropists, and those who show extraordinary strength in the face of adversity. But Christopher Reeve is a unique case: he famously wore the cape as the iconic Superman in the movie franchise and became a real-life hero off-screen, demonstrating unprecedented resilience and emanating immense kindness after a physically devastating accident.
This year’s American Film Festival shines a spotlight on this inspiring figure with the emotional documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. The movie became a pivotal title of this year’s festival section entitled Supermen (and a Woman) presenting stories of exceptional people, icons of American culture who transcend mere fame with their social and psychological impact.
The 15th American Film Festival runs from November 5 to 11. Passes, as well as media and industry accreditations, are now available.
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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story – a legend on and off the screen
Following a life-altering accident, Christopher Reeve persevered, inspiring the world by profiting his fame to speak of hope and change our perception of paralysis, all while remaining a dedicated activist, actor and filmmaker, devoted dad, and loving husband to Dana, the beating heart of the family.
First, Reeve became a movie icon in Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman, capturing the hearts of audiences and ascending to the pantheon of movie legends. Reeve’s on-screen persona was a perfect match for his real-life passion for adventure, where his love for sports was second only to his devotion to family. But in 1995, a devastating accident left Reeve paraplegic. It was then that the second chapter of his legacy began. Despite the tragedy, Reeve became a hero off-screen as, together with his wife, Dana, he founded the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. In Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s moving documentary from Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios, we witness this extraordinary journey, with insights from Reeve’s friends, family, and fellow movie stars reflecting on his lasting impact.
Heroes on the horizon
Christopher Reeve’s larger than life story was the impetus for us to look at the concept of popularity and screen personas from a new perspective. This year’s festival offers a selection of recent and diverse documentaries that delve into this very theme, leading to the concept of the Supermen (and a Woman) section.
On a slightly lighter note, Alex Ross Perry (last year’s Indie Star Award winner) presents an ironic take on fame and fandom in Pavements, a cinematic portrait of the iconic grunge band Pavement, featuring Perry’s (and world audiences’) on-screen favorite, Jason Schwartzman. Following the musical thread, Chris Smith uncovers the known-unknown history of an eponymous band in Devo, while Marie Losier takes a look at the life and work of Merrill Nisker – the legendary singer and activist Peaches in Peaches Goes Bananas.
The section also includes a documentary gem for cinephiles – Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger, the story of the famous producer-director duo, to whom the recent Timeless festival devoted an entire retrospective. The film is directed by David Hinton and produced by Martin Scorsese.
Another title in the Supermen (and a Woman) section takes us to the previously announced Politics on Screen section. Henry Fonda for President perfectly exemplifies the fusion of political power and screen fame, as Austrian filmmaker Alexander Horwath depicts how a popular actor could successfully become a head of state.
The 15th American Film Festival will take place from November 5-11, as always, in Wroclaw. The full program will be revealed on October 22 at noon, with single ticket sales for on-site screenings starting the following day at the same time.
