Sundance: ‘Super/Man’

Christopher Reeve in 1978. A still from "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Photo: Sundance Institute | Photo by Warner Bros / Alamy.

"A Hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles," Christopher Reeve said.

PARK CITY, Utah – All three of Christopher Reeve’s children and two of his grandchildren were in attendance this week for the world premiere of “Super/Man.”

The documentary is an emotional biopic of both Christopher and Dana Reeve. It covers Christopher’s upbringing, love for theater, close relationships, casting for Superman, family life, and his super power to overcome a life altering injury.

Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, and Jeff Daniels all make appearances in the movie. However, the relationship that was the most powerful in Christopher Reeve’s life was his brotherhood with Robin Williams. Robin Williams met Christopher Reeve in New York, as students at Julliard. The bond that they carried throughout their lives was incredibly deep.

Jeff Daniels articulately describes the moment when Christopher was cast as Superman in the late 70s. He was a tall and thin theater actor and exactly what the studio was looking for, a name that no one knew.

The role of Superman dramatically shifted Reeve into stardom. Throughout his Hollywood life, Christopher became known as a hero on screen. However, it was his heroic feats after the Hollywood blockbusters that solidified his legacy.

After a tragic horseback riding accident in Virginia, Christopher Reeve was left paralyzed. The Reeve family was forever changed from that moment.

Throughout the premiere, many audience members wept as they learned about the heroic feats that Reeve endured. Upon establishing the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Dana and Christopher helped many people around the world overcome physical disabilities to become heroes themselves.

“A Hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles,” Reeve said.

Reeve most definitely helped the world realize that there is no one heard to look up to, yet there are many heroes to look directly in the eye.

After the premiere of “Super/Man,” a heartfelt question from the audience elicited hugs from the director and William Reeve. Stephani Victor told the Reeve family how much hope and courage she derived from their father’s legacy. And she praised the Sundance Institute for providing a platform for the documentary and “a seat” to a movie about a super man.

This documentary is a powerful summary of a hero’s life, times, and Superhuman capabilities to encourage, empower, and praise the hero that is within all of us.

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