Bigger, Stronger, Faster*

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 2007, 105 min
Section: Documentary Films in Competition

Synopsis

“Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser” says General Patton in one clip used in this dynamic documentary glance at a society that naively prides itself on superlatives. Using the example of his own brothers, who succumb to the fleeting magic of steroids in the hopes of looking like Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger, director Christopher Bell congenially illustrates the pitfalls behind the philosophy of victory at any cost. This visually souped-up and brilliantly edited documentary produced by the creators of Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 offers an original mix of extremely familiar pop-culture references and an intimate story with a comedic-dramatic tone. Confessions from members of the American Congress, professional athletes and medical experts frankly illustrate the unflattering image of a “nation on steroids” and raise an unspoken question: When you discover that your heroes have all broken the rules, do you follow the rules, or do you follow your heroes?

About the director

Christopher Bell grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he dedicated himself to his two great passions, filmmaking and weight lifting while he was still a teenager. In high school Christopher directed a music video that won the Sony/AFI Visions of US award for Best Music Video. One of the jurors at the competition, Francis Ford Coppola, recommended Christopher to the USC School of Cinema/Television, where he graduated in 1995. He then wrote, directed and produced the anti-smoking themed short film, Billy Jones, which he screened at a number of festivals. His two passions led him to a position as producer and writer for World Wrestling Entertainment. Bigger, Stronger, Faster is his first documentary feature.