In the latest CNN Film, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, filmmakers Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui dismantle the traditional superhero narrative to uncover a profound human journey that extends beyond the iconic blue and red costume. Through intimate archival footage and personal interviews with Reeve's family and longtime collaborators, the directors deconstruct the Hollywood legend's personal and professional life before and after his near-fatal horseback riding accident that left him paralyzed.
In the following exclusive Q&A, Bonhôte and Ettedgui – longtime collaborators with an impressive track record of illuminating extraordinary lives – share insights on their creative process and the story behind Super/Man.
As long-time collaborators, what initially attracted you to Christopher Reeve's life story? Did any of your previous works affect how you approached this film?
Our first film as co-directors, 'McQueen' was a portrait of fashion designer Alexander McQueen which exposed us to the challenges of biographical storytelling; 'Rising Phoenix', our second, was about the Paralympic movement, and it exposed us to telling stories about people with disabilities. So, in a sense, they served as perfect preparation for this new film. Beyond that, the specific approach for each film we make is inspired by its subject – from the emotions the story inspires in us to the ideas it sparks in our minds. With Christopher's story, we were deeply struck by the tragic irony of the actor who embodied Superman losing not only his superpowers, but also his human powers and this became a key to how we approached his story.
Were there any surprising insights from the home videos or interviews with the Reeve children that changed your understanding of his legacy?
The greatest insight was seeing Christopher as a husband and a father, rather than as a movie superhero. Watching these incredibly personal and intimate tapes and getting to know his children, we became aware that while the film was on one hand a portrait of courage and heroism, it was also a truly universal and intimate story about family; and in particular about what happens to a family after a horrific event like Christopher's accident. It was truly extraordinary to have these tapes and witness not only moments of darkness and struggle, but also just how much laughter, love and joie de vivre there was in the household.
How does Reeve's story challenge our views on heroism and resilience?
We tend to associate heroism with physical action, but Christopher's story challenges that notion. Think of it: he lost all movement and sensation from his neck down, but he became more of a hero in the public mind than he ever had been on screen. One of his doctors told us something that really resonated: in spite of everything he had lost, Christopher still had these three essential human powers: his voice, his mind, and his heart. He determined to put them to good use – to make the world a better place for people with disabilities, and to become a better father. One of our favorite lines in the film is when Christopher talks about how close he has become to his children since the accident: "I had to break my neck to learn some of this stuff."
There's a deeply moving moment in the film where Christopher Reeve recounts his challenges after the accident. In his own words, how did he want his disability story to be understood by the world?
Christopher met many other people with similar injuries to his own, and through their stories, he discovered the true meaning of heroism. As he says in the film, his experiences taught him that "a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." He wanted his own story to be understood within this context, and he sought to give representation to people living with disabilities, through his own public appearances, and through the galvanizing advocacy of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
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