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Film Thu Jan 20 2011
Chicago Premiere of Strongman at Facets Cinémathèque
Trailer for Strongman, directed by Zachary Levy
Starting one week from Friday, Facets Cinémathèque will be showing Strongman, the winner of the Slamdance Best Documentary prize and an Official Selection from SXSW. The full blurb, filmmaker quotes and showtimes are after the jump.
One of the most poignant and original American documentaries in years, Strongman tells the personal story of Stanley "Stanless Steel" Pleskun, who can leg-press 10,000 pound dump trucks, drive nails through boards with his bare hands and is the only man in the world who can bend a penny with his fingers. For Stan, these acts not only represent physical superiority but incredible mental and emotional strength, while demonstrating the kind of change possible through sheer will power and perseverance. But as much as Stan believes in the transformative power of his might, his world is challenged by career disappointments, difficult personal relationships and the toll of reaching middle age. Years in the making and assembled with rare skill and intelligence, Strongman is a Fellini-esque metaphor for the American Dream as well as the most hypnotic example of the cinéma vérité approach which has been applied to a thoroughly modern story.
"Phenomenal...profoundly moving and honest...the debut of a new important American documentary filmmaker." -- Ramin Bahrani, Goodbye Solo, Chop Shop
"Breaks new ground in its approach...A true respect not only for its subjects, but for the documentary form." -- Ross Kauffman, Academy Award winner, Born into Brothels
Screening times:
Friday, January 28 at 7:00 and 9:15pm
Saturday - Sunday, January 29-30 at 2:30, 4:45, 7:00 and 9:15pm
Monday - Thursday, January 31 - February 3 at 7:00 and 9:15pm
Facets Cinémathèque is located at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
