PORT EWEN – BECOMING BULLETPROOF documentary

Additional Information

This inspiring documentary — about a group of young adults with disabilities who in making a Hollywood-style Western realize their dreams of being screen actors — is “this year’s ‘must see’ feature-length documentary,” says Richard Propes in The Independent Critic.

“Wonderful,” says Ken Kaworowski in The New York Times.

A “clear winner,” says Leonard Maltin on IndieWire.

An “Oscar contender,” says Michael Ordoña in the San Francisco Chronicle.

“Simply the best film you and your family might ever get to see,” say Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest.

Friendship and creativity are exhibited when the actors team up with an able-bodied cast and crew in Los Angeles to film the Western, complete with scheming villains and saloon brawls.

The film’s stars, on an actual Old West movie set, experience the usual ordeals of moviemaking -- missed lines, bad cues, lighting woes.

The troupe also creates a beautifully inclusive community that builds genuine friendships that transcend stigma and stereotypes.

The actors with disabilities -- Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other disorders -- speak frankly, and with plenty of humor, about sexuality, relationships and anxieties.

One of them, A.J. Murray, a charismatic young man with severe cerebral palsy, is the film’s heart and soul. He flies to Los Angeles from his Atlanta home to be in the movie, despite constant pain from his condition. He needs to be fed and bathed by others.

“More people have seen me naked than I can remember,” he says.

The screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. Refreshments will be served.

Attendees over age 12 are asked to contribute $5 a person.

“The term ‘inspirational’ gets bandied about a lot, but ‘Becoming Bulletproof’ is thoroughly deserving of that tag,” says Michael Rechtshaffen in the Los Angeles Times.

“I will drag everyone I know to experience this film, because I know they need to see it, and they will thank me for it afterwards,” says Ted Danson.