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Christopher Reeve's kids wanted to be 'honest, raw and vulnerable' in new documentary 'Super/Man'

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Christopher Reeve's kids wanted to be 'honest, raw and vulnerable' in new documentary 'Super/Man'
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Christopher Reeve's kids wanted to be 'honest, raw and vulnerable' in new documentary 'Super/Man'

2024-10-15 02:43 Last Updated At:03:50

NEW YORK (AP) — Christopher Reeve’s children say they made a point to include all the complexities of their father’s life — his strengths and weaknesses — in the new documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” — because that’s what he would have wanted.

The film includes family home videos, mixed with interviews and movie clips of Reeve, who famously played Superman in four films, in addition to other acting and directing roles later in his career. Reeve’s three children, Matthew, Alexandra and Will Reeve, say there were no restrictions on topics or video used in their father’s story.

“He wouldn’t have wanted to be viewed through rose-colored glasses. He would want art and cinema and factual, comprehensive storytelling and that’s what he got,” Reeve’s youngest son, Will told The Associated Press. “It’s important to us to be honest and raw and vulnerable and give a 360-degree view of a very human life, of a very human family.”

Known as the Man of Steel, Reeve — an avid athlete, sailor, skier and horseman — was nearly killed in a 1995 horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed for the rest of his life. He used his platform to become an advocate for people with disabilities, starting a foundation in his name.

Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui were able to access some never-before-seen home movies of the Reeve family before and after the accident. “When we started to make the film, one of the things they were adamant (about) is that they will share everything. They will share the archive, but they will share their emotional states … everything,” Bonhôte said. “That was the first time they were going to do it, and they were going to go all out.”

Reeve had recorded audio of his memoir before he died in 2004, so his narration is used in parts, adding to the film's intimacy. The actor became a father to Matthew and Alexandra with his first partner, Gae Exton, and the family was living in the U.K. before Reeve decided he needed a break and moved back to the U.S. alone. Exton, who is interviewed in the film, shares compelling memories of that time, and Matthew and Alexandra admit their father was not around regularly during their childhood.

Other interviews include Susan Sarandon and Glenn Close, who befriended Reeve after he graduated from the Julliard School and started taking on acting roles in New York. Close suggests in the film that Reeve and Robin Williams — Julliard classmates and close friends — had a deep connection and that if Reeve were still alive, Williams likely would be too.

Reeve’s kids say the process of going through their archives and being interviewed for the film gave them a new perspective and appreciation of their dad. Will Reeve was only 12 when his father died. His mother, Dana, was diagnosed with cancer and died less than 18 months later. Now an ABC News correspondent, Reeve says he was fortunate to have had family and close friends help raise him and considers himself “pretty well-adjusted.”

“There’s a scenario in which things could have turned out differently,” Will Reeve said. “But because of the values instilled in us by our parents, because of the way that they let us into their lives, the good and the bad, the joyous and the tragic … that prepared us for life’s difficulties and life’s joys.”

One thing that impressed the directors most in their research was Reeve’s commitment to help others even after he was physically limited in his own life. After becoming a quadriplegic, Reeve and his family were shocked at the lack of resources for people with disabilities and started the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to help improve quality of life and fund research for a cure for people with spinal cord injuries.

“He allowed him(self) to have 10 or 15 minutes of self-pity, and then he was on a mission to change the world. And I think that’s very, very inspiring because … the family as a whole, Dana and the kids, they faced a huge amount of difficulties, you know, 24-hour care, the cost,” Bonhôte said. “So he would fight for those that are less privileged than him.”

Alexandra Reeve Givens has kept up the advocacy in the family, working on the foundation and as a Washington attorney and CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology. She said reflecting on her father’s life was powerful.

“To see those elements of his character that stayed constant throughout his life: the commitment, the intensity, the passion, the strength,“ she said. “Those things changed after the accident and manifested in new ways. That strength suddenly meant something totally different. It was a strength to get up every day.”

The film is being widely released Friday to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Reeve’s death this month.

Matthew Reeve— a writer, producer and director —says the film reemphasized lessons the family learned from their parents, including the fragility of life.

“I think what it also instilled in us very early on was this deep sense of gratitude of everything, from being thankful that he survived the accident to an enduring gratitude that tomorrow is not promised and that you have to really value the present,” he said.

This story has been updated to correct that Christopher Reeve died in 2004, not 2005.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows promotional art for the documentary "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows promotional art for the documentary "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows director Peter Ettedgui, left, Will Reeve, center, and director Ian Bonhote, during the filming of the documentary "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows director Peter Ettedgui, left, Will Reeve, center, and director Ian Bonhote, during the filming of the documentary "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

FILE - Matthew Reeve, from left, Alexandra Reeve Givens, and Will Reeve, children of the late actor Christopher Reeve, appear at the premiere of "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on Sept. 18, 2024. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Matthew Reeve, from left, Alexandra Reeve Givens, and Will Reeve, children of the late actor Christopher Reeve, appear at the premiere of "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on Sept. 18, 2024. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

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Klay Thompson returns to cheers from some 400 Warriors employees

2024-11-13 09:13 Last Updated At:09:21

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Klay Thompson exited the team bus then beamed as he strolled back into Chase Center on Tuesday night, greeted by some 400 cheering Warriors employees who lined up along his path to the Dallas locker room to show their love and appreciation for the former Golden State star.

They sported “Captain Klay” hats, the giveaway for all fans on a celebratory night remembering Thompson's 13 years with the franchise, two of those spent injured, and four championships he helped win here.

“I guess it’s a good thing for the fans, so kudos to them,” Thompson said in looking ahead to the game.

“Be good to see people that you grinded with, obviously. To me, it’s just another regular-season game in November. Obviously, there’s bigger implications with the NBA Cup. So that’s what’s on our mind, and my mind, is to win that because I haven’t been a part of it yet. I know it’s young, but it’ll be fun to play for that title.”

The Warriors invited all their employees to be part of the welcoming committee for Thompson, who joined Dallas in July on a three-year, $50 million contract. Thompson, 34, missed more than 2 1/2 years — the entire 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons — recovering from surgeries on his left knee and right Achilles tendon before making his comeback in January 2022.

Thompson has tried to downplay the magnitude of this moment, though it's sure to be emotional for everybody involved.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and basketball is basketball,” Thompson said.

Golden State planned a “Salute Captain Klay” ceremony before tipoff to pay tribute to Thompson’s contributions to the franchise and his tradition of boating across the bay to games.

“This is all staff. It's unbelievable,” Warriors President and COO Brandon Schneider said. “What Klay has meant to our organization and to all of us the last 13 years, the team accomplishments, individual accomplishments, who he is as a person, what he's done in the community, it is a special night.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

FILE - Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Utah Jazz forward's Darius Bazley (21) and Brice Sensabaugh (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)

FILE - Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Utah Jazz forward's Darius Bazley (21) and Brice Sensabaugh (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)

FILE - Golden State Warriors guards Klay Thompson, left, and Stephen Curry and forward Draymond Green, right, laugh while being interviewed, Nov. 30, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

FILE - Golden State Warriors guards Klay Thompson, left, and Stephen Curry and forward Draymond Green, right, laugh while being interviewed, Nov. 30, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, foreground left, is greeted by Golden State Warriors employees and media as he arrives before an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game between the Warriors and the Mavericks in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, foreground left, is greeted by Golden State Warriors employees and media as he arrives before an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game between the Warriors and the Mavericks in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is greeted by Golden State Warriors employees and media as he arrives before an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game between the Warriors and the Mavericks in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is greeted by Golden State Warriors employees and media as he arrives before an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game between the Warriors and the Mavericks in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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