Andy Irons: Kissed By God
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April 18, 7:00 pm-10:00pm |
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Center for the Arts |
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 What does it take to become the best in the world? Talent? Training? Perseverance? And once that is accomplished, what does it take to maintain that standing? Steroids? Drugs? Cheating? Course through the sports page of any newspaper and the examples of athletes enhancing their performances, cheating themselves and the public, and ruining their lives and careers are plentiful to the point of cliche. Take the unfortunate example of three-time world surfing champion, Andy Irons, the pride of Kauai, Hawaii. Irons was "one of the greatest, bad-ass, rags-to-riches, rock star surfers that ever lived." He burst onto the scene in 2002 at the age of 24, winning multiple titles around the world. According to surfing legend and chief rival, Kelly Slater, "Irons got so good and so confident so fast." Seven years later his life and career were in ruins and he died one year later from numerous health and drug complications. Making matters worse was the fact that Irons also silently suffered from bi-polar disorder which went basically undiagnosed and untreated in his life. With that disease came an onslaught of drugs, both prescribed and illicit, which Irons abused in winning used multiple surfing titles. The preceding is not to merely to cast blame, but also to shine a light on Irons' life and struggles. Surely the film, Andy Irons: Kissed By God, stands as a cautionary tale but also hopefully a plea that anyone, world champion or not, who is suffering from either addiction or this disease gets the help they need. Locally, Gunnison Valley Health and numerous other health providers are here to help. Crested Butte Film Festival presents Andy Irons: Kissed By God on Thursday, April 18th, 7pm at the Center for the Arts. Tickets are $12 and are available online at cbfilmfest.org, the Center, and any remaining, at the door. The film is generously sponsored by Gunnison Valley Health; and by Cathy Benson. The 9th annual Crested Butte Film Festival brings 100 films and thirty filmmakers to town, September 26 - 29.
Click here for the event website |
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