The Crash Reel [DVD] [2013]

Kevin Pearce was an American snowboarder who became a star in the world of extreme sports, and an athlete who lived for the adrenaline rush of catching air on the half-pipe. Pearce seemed a sure bet to make the 2010 Winter Olympic team, but that all changed in 2009, when during training exercises in Park City, Utah, he miscalculated and suffered an accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Pearce had always been close to his family, and they rallied to his side as he went through grueling rehabilitation while recovering from his injuries. But when Pearce made it clear one of his first priorities was to get back on the half-pipe and someday return to competition, he discovered his loved ones were united against him, not wanting to see him suffer another accident that could be even more costly. Filmmaker Lucy Walker tells the story of Kevin Pearce and his long road to recovery, and also explores the dangers of a popular but very risky sport, in the documentary The Crash Reel. The film received its world premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.~Mark Deming