The filmmakers behind "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" had a clear goal - to create an emotional journey for audiences. Two decades after Christopher Reeve's passing, this documentary film, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, offers an intimate glimpse into the late Superman actor's life. It traces his journey from his days at Julliard to the tragic 1995 horseback-riding accident that left him paralyzed, his active disability rights activism, and the final years of his life.

Discover the Hidden Emotions of a Superhero's Life

From Julliard to Paralysis

The film opened to great acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was named one of the National Board of Review's best documentaries of 2024. As Ian Bonhôte explained during TheWrap's Screening Series, where he was joined by Ettedgui and Joe McGovern who moderated the virtual conversation, the challenge was to tell a story that many already knew. "How do you surprise an audience with elements that are already known? We want[ed] emotion to be over information. Emotion is what we [were] looking for." By bringing in those closest to Reeve, especially during his most vulnerable times, the film was able to achieve this.Reeve's wife, Dana, who passed away in 2006 from lung cancer, is featured in the film, along with new interviews with his three grown children - Alexandra, Matthew, and Will. Reeve's former partner, Gae Exton, who is very private, was also included after a long wooing process. Actors like Jeff Daniels, Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, and Whoopi Goldberg, along with archival interviews of Superman director Richard Donner and Reeve's close friend Robin Williams, add depth to the documentary.

The Importance of Family

As Ettedgui admitted, "What we discovered as we were making [the film] was the importance of people like Dana. We didn't know about Dana's story. We barely knew the kids." Getting to know them more revealed that this wasn't just a Superman story but the tale of a beautiful family. Bonhôte acknowledged that the film wouldn't have the same emotional impact without the involvement of Reeve's family members. "The film couldn't be done with[out] them," he said. "They became even more and more relevant to the story, and we realized that Dana and the family aspect were much more important than just Christopher Reeve being a successful actor and the accident. There was much more to it."The interview sessions with Reeve's children were deeply emotional. Each session took about 12 hours to complete. Ettedgui shared a moment with Matthew where he went into a "lyrical, beautiful memory of being a young boy on his dad's shoulders." This opened the door to something special, as they let their emotions out, and everyone present felt the power of these interviews.

Dana's Role and the Impact

Regarding Dana's part in the documentary, Bonhôte conveyed the loss she endured after Reeve's life-changing accident. He said, "She made us understand that someone with his level of disability will impact everyone in the family, will impact your partner, and that's what she wanted to bring to the table."With a runtime of 104 minutes, there were aspects of Reeve's life that Bonhôte and Ettedgui couldn't fully explore, such as his involvement with the Creative Coalition and his support for the preservation of New York architecture.Ultimately, "Super/Man" is about more than just Christopher Reeve the actor. It's about the man behind the cape and his loved ones who kept him going. "It's about love, family and legacy," Bonhôte said.Watch the full discussion here.

Jacob Gilleo, a 20-year-old car enthusiast from Amesbury, has found a unique way to bring holiday spirit to his neighborhood. His 1985 Camaro, adorned with Christmas lights, has been catching the attention of passersby and generating a lot of excitement.

The Colorful Camaro - A Holiday Delight with a Legal Twist

Section 1: The Birth of a Holiday Tradition

Jacob has always had a passion for anything with a motor. Since he was young, he dreamed of doing something special with his cars during the holiday season. And that's how the idea of covering his 1985 Camaro in Christmas lights came to life. "It feels pretty cool, everyone flashing their lights at me," he said. The sight of his brightly lit Camaro has become a familiar sight in Amesbury during the holiday months. People can't help but take notice and smile as it drives by.During the holiday season, Jacob's Camaro has become a symbol of joy and togetherness. It brings a sense of warmth and cheer to the community, making people forget about the stress of the holidays and focus on the simple pleasures.

Section 2: The Legal Conundrum

While Jacob's Camaro may be a sight to behold, it is important to note that driving with colorful lights is illegal. According to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, red and blue lights are reserved for emergency vehicles, amber lights are for service vehicles like tow trucks, and aftermarket lights like undercarriage neons are prohibited.Jacob learned this the hard way when he got pulled over for his lights. He realized that he needed to be more careful and make sure that he was following the law. Since then, he has made a conscious effort to do everything safely and within the bounds of the law.Despite the legal issues, Jacob's Camaro has still managed to become a beloved part of the community. His close relationship with the Amesbury police has helped to ease any concerns they may have had about his lights. In fact, his car was even featured in a parade this past weekend, with its lights shining bright.

Section 3: The Impact on the Community

Jacob's Camaro has had a profound impact on the community. It has brought people together and created a sense of unity during the holiday season. People from all walks of life have stopped to take pictures and admire the car, and many have shared their own holiday memories with Jacob."The car has been a great conversation starter," Jacob said. "It's been fun to see people react to it and share their stories. It really brings out the best in people."Jacob's Camaro has also inspired others to get creative with their holiday decorations. Many people in the community have started to decorate their own cars with lights and other festive decorations, creating a whole new tradition in Amesbury.In conclusion, Jacob Gilleo's 1985 Camaro covered in Christmas lights is a true testament to the power of holiday spirit and creativity. While it may have caused some legal issues, it has also brought a lot of joy and happiness to the community. It is a reminder that even in the midst of the chaos of the holidays, there is always time to stop and enjoy the simple things in life.