The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today. Reeve portrayed the “Man of Steel” in four Superman films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care – all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family.
From the directors of McQueen, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, this film includes never-before-seen intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, as well as the first extended interviews ever filmed with Reeve’s three children about their father, and interviews with the A-list Hollywood actors who were Reeve’s colleagues and friends. The film is a moving and vivid cinematic telling of Reeve’s remarkable story.
To help bring the story to life, the directors enlisted the skills of one of our favorite composers. Ilan Eshkeri has chatted with us numerous times over the years, and we always love getting to hear stories about the themes for criminals, submarine captains, sheep, royals, ronin and more. Eshkeri is also a player on many of his works. His beautiful, haunting and immersive musical soundscape was done in collaboration with Daisy Chute (providing solo vocal work), and Tim Carter (on guitar and drums), and the results are just sensational. We’ve seen the doc three times and the main theme is just something you can’t shake. This one is up, up and away with emotions. He did the Reeve family proud.
Today marks twenty years since Reeve’s passing. But as he was such an astounding human being, survived by three incredible children who are doing life-changing work heading The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, we go into this interview thinking not how he died, but how he lived. Enjoy this special episode of The GoSeeTalk Podcast Experience.
