Bending Steel

Viewpoints

World Premiere

USA | 93 MINUTES | English |

BENDING STEEL

Documentary
The Cyclone, The Freakshow, The Mermaid Parade: all Coney Island icons. But for Chris “Wonder” Schoeck, the legend of the Coney Island Strongman has always been the purest source of child-like fascination. Working as a personal trainer but searching for a place in a world in which he has yet to find his niche, Chris sets his sights on joining a mix of living legends and young aspirants who seek to ride the latest cultural wave straight to the boardwalk.

Director Dave Carroll’s moving documentary follows the sweet, unassuming Schoeck as he attempts to parlay his extraordinary strength into a stage career, despite his debilitating shyness and aversion to performance. Training with the elite group of men who, using their bodily strength alone, bend, drag, twist and shred metal, Chris quickly realizes the size of the physical and mental challenge before him. In pursuit of his lifelong dream, Chris embarks on a surprisingly emotional journey, proving that growing up does not mean giving up.

—Liza Domnitz

CAST & CREDITS

Directed by Dave Carroll

DAVE CARROLL is a former commercial and film actor who studied cinematography at New York’s School of Visual Arts. He is the founder of Suspect Films, a production company based in New York City. Bending Steel is his first departure from fiction and his directorial feature debut.
Director
Dave Carroll
Screenwriter
Dave Carroll, Ryan Scafuro
Producer
Ryan Scafuro
Editor
John Hoyt
Associate Producer
Dave Carroll, John Hoyt
Director of Photography
Ryan Scafuro
Composer
Fernando Martinez
Cast
Chris Schoeck, Chris Rider
Cinematographer
Ryan Scafuro

CONTACTS

Print Source
Ryan Scafuro
Ryan Scafuro Productions Inc
Brooklyn, 11231
Phone: 617 566 8496
ryan.scafuro@gmail.com
International Sales Contact
Ryan Scafuro
Ryan Scafuro Productions Inc
Brooklyn, 11231
Phone: 617 566 8496
ryan.scafuro@gmail.com
US Sales Contact
Josh Braun
Submarine Entertainment
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212 625 1410
josh@submarine.com
Press Contact
David Magdael
David Magdael & Associates
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 213 624 7827
dmagdael@dmagpr.com