THE CRASH REEL

About the Film

Documentary | 108 MIN | US

Lucy Walker collaborated with verite specialist DP Nick Higgins and editor Pedro Kos to create this intimate, compelling, multi-layered documentary. As the 2010 Winter Olympics approach, Kevin Pearce is considered the only snowboarder who can beat his best-friend-turned-arch-rival Shaun White, the legend of the sport. While attempting a new trick Kevin crashes, sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). As he begins to recover he immediately wants to get back on his snowboard, despite doctors telling him that even a tiny blow to his head will kill him. The film crafts cinematic sequences using both new footage and 232 archival sources to create a tale of family, growing up and self-acceptance, which raises important questions about our culture of extremes, and reveals a remarkable family’s functionality in the face of disability challenges. Directed by twice Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker (Devil’s Playground, Blindsight, Countdown to Zero, Waste Land, The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom).

View Screening