Death of a Superhero
| Death of a Superhero | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Directed by | Ian FitzGibbon |
| Produced by | Astrid Kahmke Philipp Kreuzer, Michael Garland |
| Screenplay by | Anthony McCarten |
| Based on |
Death of a Superhero by Anthony McCarten |
| Starring |
Andy Serkis Thomas Sangster Aisling Loftus Michael McElhatton Sharon Horgan Jessica Schwarz |
| Music by | Marius Ruhland |
| Cinematography | Tom Fährmann |
| Edited by | Tony Cranstoun |
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Production
company |
Bavaria Pictures
Grand Pictures |
| Distributed by |
Tribeca Film (USA) NFP (Germany) |
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Release date
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Running time
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99 minutes |
| Country | Germany, Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $33,870 |
Death of a Superhero is a 2011 Irish drama film based on the New Zealand novel of the same name by Anthony McCarten. Originally planned to be directed by McCarten in New Zealand, the film was shot on location in Ireland throughout 2010 and was directed by Ian FitzGibbon. The film stars Thomas Sangster alongside Andy Serkis. It tells the story of a dying 15-year-old boy who draws comic book stories of an invincible superhero as he struggles with his mortality.
In the first scene, 15-year-old Don (Sangster) attempts suicide by the train tracks or gives the viewer the impression he intends to commit suicide. However, he lets the train rush past him and simply watches.
The next scene shows him getting therapy in a brightly coloured room. Don appears to have tuned out the therapist and simply jots down a drawing in his notebook. He then tears the page from his book and walks out the room leaving a puzzled therapist who eyes his drawing which features the therapist going 'bla bla bla bla bla'.
Don asks his brother about his relationship with someone who his brother thinks fondly of. His brother seems happy with her.
Don is a talented teenager who draws a lot of comic stories and since being told he had terminal cancer has lived in a world occupied by his superhero. Don frequently suffers from hallucinations and during a scan, sees a twisted woman (a cartoon and figment of his imagination) laughing hideously at him.
In the reception room, a boy named Billy won't stop staring at Don. Don is drawing a picture and then rips it out of his book and hands it to Billy, getting up and leaving. It is a picture of a boy standing in a hole in a cemetery. Behind him there is a grave with the name 'Billy' written on it.
In an effort to stop his suicide attempts, his parents send him to therapy. Eventually, he is sent to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Adrian King (Andy Serkis), one whom he initially does not like; but whom he forms a bond with quickly.
Don walks home from school alone and balances on the wall of a bridge as cars rush past below him. He cautiously walks across, unaware that he has been spotted by the therapist.
Don visually shows the therapist his opinion on his methods when he graffiti's a Skull 'n' Crossbones on his boat. However, later Don comes and cleans it off for him and his therapist offers love advice for his crush Shelly.
Shelly reads out an essay from her book. Don looks at it and realises she hasn't done her homework and is left amazed. The teacher is on the phone and hasn't been listening to her. On the way out of the classroom, Don tells her: 'good essay' and she smiles knowing he knows too.
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