Garret Cockayne (Lululemon manager)
"Since attending the premiere of 'Hope For Steve' at the buckhead theatre, I've been asked by countless people my thoughts on the film. The only word that comes up for me is honest. We got to see the good, the the bad, and the ugly in a compassionate & non-exploitive way; which is, sadly, something that can be missing when telling the stories of individuals in situations that we may not fully understand. At its root it was a love story."
Matthew Moore (Producer/editor/writer)
At the after-party, I shared a drink with a woman who didn't know anyone at the premiere. "Hey!" she said, offering her hand, bracelets dangling, "I gotta introduce myself to some people."
I quickly learned that she had come to the premiere because her daughter had been diagnosed with ALS at the age of 34. "Except, my daughter's significant other didn't make the same choice that Hope did."
For the first time I am watching our film on a giant theater screen with people I don't know. All of those encouraging YouTube comments and Facebook likes have showed up to see the cinematic manifestation of the story they've been following for months, some of them years.
For the 349th time I listen to Steve make the joke about "this" not being an old man's disease, "I was 28 years old when I was diagnosed . . . at least that's what I told her." he says, slyly looking to his new wife for laughter.
I can still wath the film anew as if I had nothing to do with making it. It's doesn't matter that I know everybody's line by heart.
Just minutes in people are laughing. They seem relieved that there is joy and humor and that this story isn't just a tragedy, if it is one at all. And when it's silent, the audience is not restless. Maybe there are sniffles, maybe there are tears, but our audience is riveted.
Perhaps the thesis of the film, a comment made spur of the moment by our costar in a spontaneous interview given nearly a year ago.
"That's when he was like, you know, you don't have to stay with me, I understand if you go. . . . and I just never understand why he said that? I guess he was looking out for me, but I never would have left him."
Charlotte Tate (Artist)
Words can hardly even describe how I feel after watching the premiere of The Hope for Steve documentary today. The story of Steve Dezember, 31, who has ALS, and his amazing love story with is beautiful wife, Hope.
The tears started within the first minute and never stopped. There were tears of joy, tears of heartbreak and tears of complete laughter. This movie was so unbelievably moving, as I knew it would be, but what I actually saw today with so much more than that. I am mad as hell at this horrendous disease that is robbing this beautiful man's life, but then inspired and moved by the love and joy Hope brings to Steve's life each and everyday. Their love can move mountains and change the world.I'm mad as hell that research for this horrendous disease is so unbelievably underfunded, but then I am so hopeful that something can be done to change that. That something starts with this movie. This love story of Hope and Steve.
They truly exhibit “for better or worse, in sickness and in health” love; the overwhelming love that everyone hopes to find in their lifetime. The love that God designed for us to share, to really live. The love that He tells us about in 1 Corinthians 13:8, “Love… always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” That is Hope & Steve love. While they depend on others for support, so many others look to them to for inspiration. They set the benchmark for living each day to the fullest. They live on very little but have so much. Despite his health and their financial situation, they are truly rich. We all have so much to learn from them. Those of us who were able to be at the premier walked away better than we were when we walked in. We witnessed a transparent tale of two people that fell in love and held on tight through the whirlwind of life. The Documentary: Hope for Steve… love, laughter, and standing ovations.
Betsy Pyle Armentrout (Follower/Supporter)
I learned about your event in the AJC on Saturday. My family has battled a related degenerative neurological disease and the article grabbed my attention. I did not know Hope and Steve prior to watching the documentary. Having witnessed the disease and their relationship through the documentary, I feel like a part of their community and now a warrior in their fight. Their candidness, humor, and integrity throughout the movie imprinted in my heart. Thank you for being courageous. These diseases tend to have quiet voices. Thank you for shouting words of love, optimism, and pain. Your fight and your voice makes a difference
Amber Goodwin Cloy (Follower/Supporter)
The Documentary Hope for Steve premier was emotional… impactful… captivating! We were invited into the life of Hope & Steve, to share in their joy, and in their sorrow, to get a glimpse into their love story.
Gareth Asher (musician)
The movie is an inspiration for the world to wake up and pay attention to how precious each moment truly is. Hoe and Steve want us to live our lives full of greatness. They want us to hug the ones we love and not ake a single minute for granted. Time is a gift. We will laugh, we will cry, but we will preserve together, all in opes of awakening the mind that can rid our world of this horrible disease.
Jeremy Brown (owner of Love is Art/Artist/co-directer of the drive product)
The film was absolutely amazing. It was a perfect blend of information & heartache, yet extremely uplifting and inspirational. The film gave me a glimpse into the disease, while providing the powerful message of hope & living every moment to the fullest. I knew I would shed some tears of sadness throughout the film, but was pleased to also shed many tears of joy and laughter. The film's ability to touch on so many heartbreaking emotions, while at the same so many heartwarming emotions. I left the film with a warmth in my heath and an outlook of cherishing every breath. Two thumbs up.
Kristen Wolf (Follower/Supporter)
I have always been a fan of love stories. What girl isn't? Last winter I went to see my friend Gareth Asher perform at Steve's Live Music in Sandy Springs. It was a beautiful Christmas show and the band all wore Santa hats and even sang some carols. In a little side room off to the left there were beautiful paintings set up with the name "DRIVE" in bold. There, I first heard the story of Hope and Steve Dezember, and although they were at the show that evening, we had not yet been introduced. Atlanta is a small town, and it seems that Hope and Steve attract the same kinds of people I love into their lives as well. Over the year I kept hearing bits of their story and seeing different friends working with the couple to create artwork, awareness, and concert benefits for the couple. The time came for the Buckhead Theatre Premiere and I had friends taking pictures for the event, singing at the even, and donating artwork for the event. Everyone was so excited and eager to see a film that would inspire a lovesick generation and culture to believe once more that love does indeed conquer all. At least, after the insane lack of healthy and successful relationships I've endured, and consoling multiple friends with aching hearts over too new breakups, that is why I went and what I needed that particular Sunday afternoon. I remember going with Adelaide Tai and hearing her say "I think this will be good for our spirits!"
The film was beautiful. It captured the spirit of the couple so deeply. You watched laughing and weeping, feeling like it was your best friends going through this terrible disease with such grace and love. For some, that was the case, but I'd never actually met Hope or Steve, but in a weird way-- I knew them. The film captured how terrible ALS is while allowing the light of Hope and Steve to radiate through to the audience. What was captured by the lens made you care and made you pay attention to this couple who refuse to let ALS have the last word in their lives and in their love.
If you want something nice and easy, do not watch. If you want to go about your life unchanged, avoid this film. If you're looking to be inspired and moved, not only watch this film- but share it with others. Ask what you can do to help, and think about how much greater life is when the stakes are raised and love is on the line. This film is a call to action against ALS- you cannot watch and sit idly by.
Remember you can purchase your DVD now here
Lots of love!
No comments:
Post a Comment