Superheroes Premieres on HBO August 8th!
Originally posted: http://blogs.indiewire.com/spout/archives/2011/06/01/superheroes_hbo/
By Christopher Campbell
Add one more superhero blockbuster to your summer movie schedule.
I had heard a whisper of this a while ago, but now it’s confirmed: HBO Documentary Films bought the TV rights to Michael Barnett’s Slamdance hit “Superheroes,” a doc about those real-life costumed crusaders who are often likened to characters in the films “Kick-Ass” and “Super.” The funny thing is I didn’t realize it was official until I saw a magazine ad today for HBO’s summer doc series, which features a new premiere every Monday from June 6 through August 15. Other titles include such festival hits as “Bobby Fischer Against the World,” “Hot Coffee,” “Koran by Heart” and “A Matter of Taste: Serving Up Paul Liebrandt” (see the rest of the titles here). The news about “Superheroes” was also confirmed recently on the doc’s Facebook page, where I regrettably missed it earlier.
Of course I’m excited about all 11 films in the series (the only other I’ve seen so far is “A Matter of Taste”), but I’m especially happy for Barnett’s film, because it wasn’t seen by enough people in Park City and I know there’s a significant audience that will find it intriguing. Here’s a snippet of my review:
Often “Superheroes” comes off as also being more about the problems of the world than the costumed crusaders on screen. Through people like “Zetaman,” “Life,” “Mr. Extreme” and the simply named “Super Hero,” we are made to think about the issues of homelessness and violent crime, as well as police corruption and bureaucracy that lead to the necessity for these [Real-Life Superheroes] to pop up in cities across the nation…“Superheroes” will surely be a big hit with the RLSH crowd, of which there are hundreds more than the selected few in the film, as well as the Comic-Con/fanboy types. Plus it’s a well made, albeit fairly standard doc, without many flaws or bumps.
Fortunately, “Superheroes,” which is screening at Seattle’s True Independent Film Festival next week, is also apparently getting a small theatrical run in October and a DVD release in November.
Check out a trailer for HBO’s summer series, including footage of “Superheroes,” after the jump.
i hate to sound selfish or something, but i need to say this. its good that the RLSHs are going to be recognized for their good deeds, but what i dont like about the fact theres a movie coming out and once its public, people will be aware of them and might just start to dress up just to mock them, like its a game, im planning on starting my costumed hero career in a few years and id rather it not be so well known, id rather have only a few people do this. i prefer being different and one of the few people with the courage to be who they want to be, once something becomes mainstream and generic, it’ll lose itself, im just afraid that one day people will be too used to seeing RLSHs, and everyday as a hero wont feel like something honorable, it’ll just be a constant halloween.
Greetings Dramatic, Knight-Hood here. You may choose to follow my path. I operate covertly, meaning I go out on patrol in disguise, usually as a homeless person. I carry my mask and utility belt with weapons in case I should need them. I fought crime and fed the homeless in complete secrecy since 1989. I felt this was the best way to go. It keeps the police from harrassing you and the bad guys as well.
My concern for these heroes is smilar to yours. Familiarity breeds contempt. My biggest fear is that once they are very famous they might as well a target on their chest and call themselves Target Man because you know there will be lots of psychos out there dying to the the first one to kill a rlsh.
So all I can do is watch and keep them in my prayers
Thanks for responding Knight Hood, i hope i’ll make it as long as you in the buisness, another one of my fears is that the fun will be sucked out of it, you know being one of the few protectors of the innocenct, leading a double-life, all of that wont happen, i had hoped i could mix comic book fantasy with real life, maintaining a “normal” life, while secretly being who i truly want to be, being out all night, a few battle scars, getting into fights and savings people who otherwise would have been hurt or killed, that’s the costumed carrer that i want
I’ve been dreaming about being a rlsh for years. wanting to be like Batman, or Robin. you guys are the ones who give me hope that my dreams can be reality. And i agree with you dramatic. I haven’t started my superhero career yet but if thousands of people became rlsh, i wouldn’t even get a chance to try…
yo its the night owl here to tell you guys about my 7 th best crime stopping i was at a 7/11 when 2 idiots tried to rob i came there and i took my “PERSONAL WHOOPING MACHINE” and whooped there ass and left.
-Night Owl
To Guardian Angel and Dramatic, Remember that the only real reason to attempt to be a rlsh is to help others. It’s not about having fun, nor is it as dramatic and exciting as the comics and movies. For instance, the fantasy heroes always don their costumes and go out and instantly walk into a crime in progress. It just doesn’t work that way. Although rapes, murders, assaults and robberies occur nightly in every city there is no way to know where or when it will happen? Forget fantasies about fighting evil doers and saving the world. It’s all fantasy. But there is a lot of things you can do. You can feed the homeless, and confront drug dealers and discourage prostitution. Or if you are really serious about this, you could take a course on how to be a bail enforcement agent or a private detective. Even if you don’t become either professionally you can learn their methods to track down wanted felons. I guess the point I am trying to make to you is this lifestyle is not fun and games. It’s a lot of hard work. It requires a lot of training, practice and experience. I do not think it would be a bad thing if the movie inspires thousands of young people to turn toward this. We need numbers. My fear though is that one of these untrained youngsters will get him/herself killed doing this and not only will most of those considering this drop out immediately the authorities will use that as an excuse to outlaw the movement. Time will tell.