Christopher Reeve‘s biopic “Super/Man” is proving just how super the late actor and activist really was.
IndieWire can confirm that documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” has officially won the 2024 HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series’ Audience Award, after screening at the program August 14.
Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui co-direct the documentary, which has been shortlisted by IndieWire as an Oscar frontrunner. “Super/Man” charts Reeve’s astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, including his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, but catalyzed his activism for disability rights.
The feature first screened at Sundance before playing at HamptonsFilm, among other festivals.
For the SummerDocs screening, executive producer Connor Schell and Reeve’s son Will Reeve participated in a Q&A conversation moderated by HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent and Chairman Emeritus Alec Baldwin.
“Each year our SummerDocs program aims to highlight powerful stories that challenge perceptions and open hearts and minds, and our audiences responded to ‘Super/Man’ for exactly those reasons,” HamptonsFilm Artistic Director Nugent said. “It was an incredible pleasure to host the film, Connor Schell, and Will Reeve in the Hamptons, and to recognize this beautiful tribute to Christopher Reeve with this summer’s award.”
Co-directors Bonhôte and Ettedgui explained how the HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series‘ Audience Award honor further celebrates Reeves’ life and legacy on the 20th anniversary of the actor’s death.
“It is truly an honor to accept this award from the 2024 HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Christopher Reeve’s passing, and our goal was always to bring his extraordinary story to life for a contemporary audience – so to receive this Audience Award is such a thrill for all of us who worked on the film,” the filmmakers said.
The 16th annual SummerDocs Series additionally screened buzzy documentaries “Skywalkers: A Love Story” and “War Game.” Many past SummerDocs Series selections have continued down the awards path and have even won Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature Film; SummerDoc alum features include “The Eternal Memory,” “Navalny,” “Searching for Sugar Man,” and “Summer of Soul.”
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” is a presentation of DC Studios, HBO Documentary Films, and CNN Films in association with Words+Pictures, and a production of Passion Pictures and Misfits Entertainment in association with Jenco Films. The documentary was written by director Ettedgui and co-written by director Bonhôte and Otto Burnham.
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” will be released in select theaters via Fathom Events on September 21, with an encore on September 25 to mark Reeve’s birthday.
Read the IndieWire review here.
