Superheroes

LOCAL VANCOUVER REAL LIFE SUPERHERO THANATOS IN PERSON FOR Q&A AFTER THE SHOW • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20
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VANCOUVER PREMIERE! ► Some folks actually do dress up in superhero tights and hit the mean city streets to fight crime and injustice. These real-life superheroes — each driven, to varying degrees, by idealism and/or personal demons, and not a one possessing obvious super powers — are the subjects of director Michael Barnett’s affectionate documentary. “Fighters for truth, justice and American eccentricity are celebrated in Superheroes ... Among them are Zimmer, leader of the New York Initiative, a team of crime busters conducting late-night ‘bait patrols’ on Brooklyn streets; Mr. Xtreme, a paunchy San Diego security guard camping in his van and wearing a helmet, a cape and goggles; and Thanatos, a 62-year-old in Vancouver with a black hat, a fearsome green countenance and jeans. These subjects may parade in peculiar attire, but they are serious about their mission, and Barnett appropriately renders them without condescension... . Nice animated transitions, a glimpse of Comic-Con International in San Diego and appearances by Stan Lee, the indefatigable figurehead of Marvel Comics, lend fanboy credibility ... Think of Superheroes as a real-life Kick-Ass, with more community outreach and far less acute injury” (Andy Webster, New York Times). Colour, HDCAM. 82 mins.

preceded by

Hello Caller • In this short two-hander, a suicidal woman calls a crisis hotline, with unexpected results. USA 2011/Director: Andrew Putschoegl. Colour, Blu-ray Disc. 6 mins.

Presented with Slamdance On The Road.