Christopher Reeve remains the definitive portrayal of Superman for many, but his greatest achievement wasn’t donning the cape—it was in his portrayal of Clark Kent. Before Reeve’s performance, Clark Kent was often seen as little more than a secondary character, a simple disguise for Superman, and the audience primarily came to see the Man of Steel. Reeve’s nuanced portrayal added depth and complexity to Clark Kent, giving him more dimension and making him a crucial part of the story rather than just an afterthought. By emphasizing the contrast between the bumbling, mild-mannered Kent and the confident, heroic Superman, Reeve brought a new level of depth to the character’s dual identity, highlighting the idea that Clark Kent is just as important as Superman.
Once you choose hope, anything is possible.
The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from an unknown actor to an 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.
The film, acquired by DC Studios, HBO Documentary Films, and CNN Films following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, is set for a U.S. theatrical release on September 21, 2024. In honor of the late Superman actor, an encore screening is scheduled for September 25, which would have been his birthday.
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