‘The Ataxian’ World Premiere At Dances With Films 2015 Wins The Audience Award

At Dances with Films The Ataxian played to a sold out crowd of over 450 and received a standing ovation.

How would you react to a debilitating and fatal illness?  In The Ataxian, one man shows the world that it is possible to take action and find hope under even the most life threatening and daunting of circumstances.  At age 17, Kyle Bryant was diagnosed with the relatively unknown progressive neuromuscular disease, Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), for which there is no medication, nor cure.

As Kyle lost his ability to play his favorite sports and even walk, he began biking long distances in a specially outfitted “trike.”  When he is finally relegated to a wheel chair, Kyle decides that enough is enough.  He enlists the help of three friends, Sean—who also has FA—John and Mike, and they embark on the “world’s toughest bike race,” the Race Across America (RAAM).  In this feature-length documentary, filmmakers and childhood friends, Kevin Schlanser and Zack Bennett, capture what is a grueling 9-day non-stop journey for anyone—much less someone with an energy-depriving affliction—that starts in Oceanside, CA, ending in Annapolis, MD.

Review by Paul Booth

It is hard to not use words like inspiring, awe-struck, triumphant when you think of this film. However, those are only words. This film is a STORY. The Ataxian is the definition of the spirit that drives humanity and the film reveals to us who we are (and can be as) people.  

As a film, it is perfectly paced (editing) and the filmmakers managed to get excellent (raw) cinematography as they traveled the roads from San Diego to Cato Maryland. We get to see country, weather conditions, travel extremely rough terrain and the camera never imposes. The real challenge of any film is to get out of its own way (also a tough challenge in life).  The filmmakers deserve kudos for such a brilliant subtext. I never felt like this movie was selling me something or trying to make me cry; the film was living and had a breath of its own.

The very nature of health, challenges and what we are capable of, it is something everyone goes through. I appreciated this film, because it did not feel sorry for itself or ask for sympathy. It is a painful film to watch, as there are sick children in a few scenes, but The Ataxian deals with it head on. However, it is the grace, dignity and love I respected most (from the cyclists). It is worth mentioning adjectives are merely communication, but when a movie jumps around, through and into your soul, then and only then do you have a FILM. 

The reason artists grab cameras, tell stories and open up, is all in The Ataxian, because film is a medium meant to do more than pass time on a first date or provide popcorn time. The best part of the movie is in its intangible quality, (by intangible you can see the bikers inner pain), the best part is not their pain but what they do with their pain. The film manages to do three most important things a movie can do; it entertains, educates about this fatal disease and elevates you to become a better person. 

Here’s to anyone, anywhere, doing something so big, so hard, that many people may doubt you can do it.

Write down the title, tell your friends and if you ever get the chance, GO SEE IT.