'Indestructible': Ben Byer's fighting spirit survives
Rating: 3 1/2 stars (good-excellent)
By Maureen M. Hart | Tribune reporter




The July 3 death of filmmaker Ben Byer, creator and subject of "Indestructible," lends this documentary record of his struggle against ALS an unbearable poignancy. Despite his debilitation, Byer planned to attend the three screenings at the Gene Siskel Film Center starting tonight, accompanied by his sister, producer Rebeccah Rush, and the film's editor, Tim Baron.

The latter two will be on hand for the local debut of the film, started nine months after Byers' 2002 diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease in 2002, at age 31. A Chicago actor and playwright, Byer, with the help of childhood friend Roko Belic ("Genghis Khan"), captured three years in his fight against the fatal neurodegenerative disease. Joined in the battle with him are his parents, sister, brother, others with ALS, and conventional and alternative health-care practitioners. He travels to six countries in search of relief and hope, including China, for a risky experimental surgery, and to Israel, in an attempt to reconnect with the Judaism of his youth. Experts in all disciplines are sympathetic but still confounded by the disease, though neurologist Oliver Sacks (author of the book "Awakenings") seems to make a particular connection with Byer when he inquires about what his life is like when the cameras aren't running (Byer, whose outlook appears remarkably resilient, shares his sense of loss.)

One small nitpick: In a few scenes, the music—particularly in a pitched family fight over their father's outreach into the greater ALS community—overwhelms the dialogue. The Byers have bravely opened themselves up to criticism by acting all too human in the face of a death sentence handed down to a family member, particularly a father, whose son, John, is 3 when the film begins. John's delight in his father, no matter his condition, helps to counter the gloom.

But Byer, despite the lousy hand fate dealt him, wasn't much about gloom. Late in the film, a young(er), healthy Ben appears in archival footage, revved up with enthusiasm about filmmaking and life. That same spirit flashes as he closes his film: "I wish I was a good enough artist to make this movie without having the disease. Now that would be talent."



mhart@tribune.com



No MPAA rating; parents cautioned for language, nudity.

Running time: 1:53.

Playing: 8 p.m. July 18, 7:45 p.m. July 21, 8:30 p.m. July 22, Gene Siskel Film Center.

Written and directed by: Ben Byer; photographed by Roko Belic; edited by Tim Baron; music by Alison Chesley; produced by Rebeccah Rush, Byer. An ALS Film Fund release.