"Disposable Hero" Screening Draws Deegan, Fans and More
Jun 20 2007 / Hollywood, CA
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Deegan, the Mulisha leader himself, was on hand, along with his wife, Marissa, team member Beau Manley, the film's executive producers Sal Masekela and Jason Bergh, and scores of friends, fans and industry insiders. The screening took place at Cinespace and was open to the public, drawing a near capacity crowd to the venue.
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"Disposable Hero" opens with Deegan completing the first-ever 360 at the X Games in 2003, cementing his status as one of the legends of freestyle motocross. However, only a few months later at Winter X, Deegan suffers a horrendous crash while trying to attempt the 360 and breaks both wrists and a femur. So starts an incredible, personal look into Deegan's struggles and triumphs over the following two years. Included are his recovery from the Winter X crash, another devastating injury suffered while filming an episode of "Vive Le Bam," and his return from that. Along the way, interviews done with other riders, his doctor and his wife, paint a vivid picture of the drive Deegan possesses. And then there is Deegan himself, who never shies away from the camera and confronts his challenges and fears as they arise.
After the screening X-Dance Director Brian Wimmer introduced Deegan, Masekela and Bergh to the crowd and moderated a short question and answer session. The film was honored at the 2007 X Dance Action Sports FIlm Festival as best documentary, and Wimmer recounted how Deegan was unable to see that screening in person, and participated in a Q&A afterward via a Blackberry.
Masekela explained how Berkela Films, the company he and Bergh formed, picked up the movie. While seeking projects for the company, Masekela heard that Deegan was doing the film with Dave Dawes (who was not present) and eventually he tracked Deegan down at the ASR show (an action sports retail trade show). "We were able to get on the same page," he said..
Masekela and Bergh also discussed new projects on tap for Berkela. The screening featured a trailer for the Australian documentary "Bra Boys," which Berkela will distribute later this year. The film has already broken box-office records down under and tells the story of the Abberton brothers, who were born into poverty and squalor to a heroin-addicted mother, and have three different fathers. Yet, Sunny is a pro surfer while Koby is one of the world's top big-wave riders. Bro Sunny co-directed and wrote the film and Russell Crowe narrated (Crowe is also reportedly developing a scripted version of the film that he would direct is working on a scripted version of the tale), Berkela is also working on the scripted snowboarding film named "Switch," which is two-thirds shot and planned for a theatrical release in 2008.
Deegan also answered some questions and pointed out that while this film does feature the Metal Mulisha, it is a decidedly personal story.
"I feel like the Metal Mulisha is its own story... its own movie," he said. "Our group started freestyle motocross. Love us or hate us, they were there from the beginning"
Another question had to do with a scene in the film that features a tombstone with "Deegan" engraved on it. It apparently wasn't done for the film
"At any time someone can die in this sport," Deegan told the gathered crowd. "We have this cemetery, where my grave is already laid out."
After the Q&A, the three remained available, meeting fans and talking about the movie. Before long, the crowd had to disperse for the nightclub that opens each Tuesday in Cinespace, but it appeared most fans who came to see the film left satisfied, with a good chance to meet their idol in person. Deegan promised he would be back in Los Angeles soon, returning for this summer's X Games -- though he might be competing more with popular X Games announcer Masekela. Deegan will be doing some TV work for the games this year, in addition to some competition.
"Disposable Hero: The Brian Deegan Story" is now available on DVD. The X-Dance Screening Series continues next month on July 18th at Cinespace in Hollywood.
