Archives October 3, 2011

Originally posted: http://flickeringmyth.blogspot.com/2011/10/55th-bfi-london-film-festival-brings.html
The BFI London Film Festival brings you the real Kick-Ass with Superheroes
If, like Aaron Johnson’s character in the award-winning film Kick-Ass, you’ve ever had the urge to don a mask and fight crime, it seems you’re not alone as insightful documentary Superheroes hits the big screen at the 55th BFI London Film Festival this month.
Journeying into the world of real-life caped crusaders, Superheroes follows a group of superhero fans from across North America, who are taking the law into their own hands. From the steel-plated ‘Master Legend’ in Orlando to evil-defeating ‘Thanatos’ in Vancouver, director Michael Barnett uncovers and documents this growing cultural phenomenon of vigilantes inspired by their comic book idols.
Introducing several of the US’ most famous masked heroes, the feature documentary follows individuals such as real-life Kick Ass, Mr Extreme, a 33 year old security guard by day who by night patrols the streets protecting the innocent, and organised crime-fighting group, The New York Initiative who bait traps to lure evildoers. Though their motives may differ and there powers are less than super, their intentions to protect the community and fight for the greater good unites them along with a shared love of comics.
With interviews from Marvel Comics supremo, Stan Lee, psychologists and police representatives, Superheroes smartly addresses a number of serious issues about an individual’s responsibility, and provides a compelling portrait of these real-life superheroes as they try to make the world a better place.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zxCLbPncGk

Originally posted: http://www.prweb.com/releases/Real-Life_Superhero/David_Filmore/prweb8838642.htm
Launch of new website, SaveMeHeroMan.com, to ease burden on law enforcement by fighting crime.
Self-described real-life superhero, HERO MAN, today announced the launch of a new website (http://www.SaveMeHeroMan.com) that allows Angelenos in distress to request his help. David Filmore, the man behind the cape, turned to fighting crime after his home was robbed and was dissatisfied with the justice he received.  Filmore vowed then and there that he would strike a blow against crime by helping those who had been similarly victimized.
“This city needs the help of a superhero, there just aren’t enough police to go around. If someone is being bullied or is the victim of a crime, I’m ready to step in.  I just want to make sure these ruffians get what’s coming to them.”  Filmore said when asked why he was embarking on his quest.
“But I want to make it clear that I am not a vigilante!  My goal above all is to see that justice is served, and to stand in protection of those who have nowhere else to turn.” As an orthodox Jew, Filmore says he gets his true motivation from the Torah “It is never about revenge, only justice.  It’s about repairing the world and being a mensch.  That’s the code every superhero lives by.”
Filmore’s work as a yarmulke-wearing superhero hasn’t gone unrecognized by the Jewish community.  He was recently nominated for the ‘Jewish Community Heroes Award,’ a national annual campaign designed to spotlight and celebrate people working to make the world a better place.  The winner receives a $25,000 grant to be used in a non-profit community project.
“It’s an honor to be nominated, but it’s the work I do helping people that really matters to me.  I’m just happy to be alive and to know that I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”  Filmore being alive isn’t something that was certain not so long ago. “I was severely anemic and hospitalized for 30 days.  Lying in hospital I knew what it was like to be truly helpless.  That experience prepared me for being a superhero.  I can identify with the victims of crime, I know how they feel.”
But there is also a very practical reason HERO MAN’s services have been in demand.  “To be blunt, L.A. is in a budget crisis right now and people are hurting as a result.  The police can’t be everywhere at once, so it’s only logical that well-meaning people try to help fill that need in our community.” Filmore added a precaution “I’m not recommending other people take this action, it is extremely dangerous.  But on the other hand it is the right thing to do.  The police should deputize me.”
When Officer Wong of the LADP was asked about HERO MAN, he responded, “This activity isn’t illegal, but I would strongly discourage anyone from trying be a superhero.  Life isn’t a movie, and chances are the police will end up having to rescue HERO MAN from a situation he wasn’t prepared for.”
But in this case, life does seem to be in part a movie.  A documentary crew followed Filmore as he made his transformation from hospital patient to a lightsaber-carrying superhero in a black cape. “A lot of my close friends work in film and TV.  When they saw what was happening in my life they pointed their cameras at me and started recording.  Somehow we ended up with a movie.  It’s all kind of amazing actually.”  Filmore said looking back.
The movie, also called ‘HERO MAN,’ is a documentary but Filmore insists that doesn’t fully describe it. “It’s an uplifting story, but it’s also got plenty of action and fights, the kind of fireworks you’d want from a movie about a superhero. And having the cameras there definitely pushed me to do things I might not otherwise have done. Luckily, I only broke one bone.” Filmore added, when recalling an accident that happened on one of the last days of shooting.
“I’m excited about seeing the movie screen at festivals and finding a distributor.  But it’s the real work of being a superhero that keeps me going.”  Filmore explained about his relentless drive for justice.  “If someone is in trouble I want to be there to protect them from harm. Besides, I totally love the action. I’ve always enjoyed wearing combat gear and jumping off roofs anyway. This just makes it official.”
After having handled almost fifty “cases,” Filmore insists he’s just getting started. “Tonight’s another night, I’ll be out there again like always, hunting for scofflaws and troublemakers.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-MRD1In-BI

Originally posted: http://lawandthemultiverse.com/2011/10/03/castle-heroes-and-villains/
Last week’s episode of Castlefeatured a new twist for Rick and Kate: a real, live, caped crusader!
Or, well, someone dressed up as one, who goes around fighting crime. This is another instance of pop culture taking a more-or-less serious look at the real phenomenon (apparently with its own website) of people putting on costumes and patrolling the streets, basically looking for trouble in which they can get involved. We talked about the implications of real life superheroes when we reviewed Kick-Ass a while back.
It sounds like about as good an idea as it turns out to be. There really isn’t any way to talk about this one without some pretty major spoilers, so here goes.
More at http://lawandthemultiverse.com/2011/10/03/castle-heroes-and-villains/