Film That Takes a Look at World
Through Eyes of ALS Premieres
By Gary Wosk, Staff Writer
The timing could not have been any better for the release during ALS Awareness Month of a critically acclaimed motion picture film about a person living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“It is fitting that the film is premiering this month,” said Ben Byer, who wrote, directed, produced and stars in “Indestructible,” which chronicles three years in his fight against ALS and travels to six countries to find a cure and other answers.
“ALS is a lonely universe,” said Byer, a fledgling theater artist before he was diagnosed with the disease. “People need common goals to rally around. Whether research, a film, or ALS Awareness Month, it is extremely important to be engaged in the fight. It’s all part of the same stew.”
Since there had been other movies made about ALS, Byer’s goal was for his film to artistically resonate on a deeper emotional level. He also wanted to show what the world looks like through the eyes of ALS.
“This is the first film in the history of cinema, as far we know, to be made by and about an ALS patient to be released on the national stage,” Byer said. “This is the first in-depth look at the disease where the driving creative force is suffering from it. This is a new step in creating an authentic voice from within the ALS community.”
The film turned out better than anything Byer envisioned, however, he is realistic about how much the film can accomplish in turning the tide on the disease.
“On an advocacy level, we have just packed our equipment to climb Mt. Everest,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine ALS will change without a major shift in public perception of the disease. That’s going to take much more than one film.”
“I remember an interview with Bob Geldof where he says that Live Aid will always fail, meaning that to end hunger in poverty in Africa is nearly an unattainable goal. That’s sort of how I feel, but you have to try,” Byer continued.
Byer, 37, decided to make a film about living with ALS after receiving the cold shoulder from the creative industry arts following his diagnosis. A little bitterness and an attitude that he could not only do it, but do it well, served him well.
“I soon found out the entertainment business does not have many opportunities for people with ALS,” recounted Byer, the father of 8-year-old John and a baby alligator named Bill. “People sort of patted me on the shoulder and said, ‘good luck dying.’ I decided I would give these folks something to think about. Anger is a great motivator.”
Byer did not allow resentment to get in the way of producing a cinematic adventure that is filled with extraordinary characters, breathtaking landscape and abundant humor, and is not preachy.
“My only concern as a filmmaker is to tell a great story truthfully. To keep the audience engaged right to the end. That is my intent,” he explained. “If after seeing ‘Indestructible’ people are motivated to fight ALS, improve our planet, make love to their spouse or quit smoking, then that’s great too.”
The film has won numerous awards at film festivals. "An intimate, lacerating, absorbing visual diary...’Indestructible’ is an immersive, edifying journey of acceptance, setback, and strength,” wrote Variety, however, it is not only critics who have been impressed.
“The people I have spoken to are quite moved to put it mildly,” Byer said. “It does not matter what their background is, they seem to connect on a very deep level with the film.”
Byer believes the disease film genre fills a need in society: Some people who go see this category of movie want to help others.
“Films that show truthfully and accurately any disadvantaged populace are important. Whether by poverty, geography, race, religion or disease, it is a step in creating a better, more tolerant world.
“For the most part, people want to solve these problems. People want to find a cure for ALS. By presenting a film that allows them to understand the situation without making them feel lousy about it, we invite them into an arena of solutions. If enough people climb into that arena, we might actually find a cure some day.”
The fact that it was made at all considering the physical challenges is a victory in itself not to mention the budget of only $200,000, raised from private donors.
“I faced the same sort of challenges 30,000 people in the U.S. face every day. Putting my pants on, eating a plate of food, walking to the car, and explaining this disease to my kid,” Byer said. “Making movies is hard, making good movies is even harder and making good movies when you have ALS, well, that’s what I do.”
Again the realist, Byer does not expect to any break box office records or become rich, which brings back memories. “A fortune-teller in Hong Kong told me I would never find any sudden wealth.”
The movie opens on May 2 in Madison, Wis., and will then open in Los Angeles on May 16 and in San Francisco on May 30. For more information about the film and where it can be seen, visit www.indestructiblefilm.com.
