At this year’s 17th annual Cinequest Film Festival, held in the heart of Silicon Valley, CA, I had the privilege to watch the world premiere of the year’s most inspirational documentaries. Indestructible is the real life journey of actor and play-write Ben Byer, who in 2002 was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rapidly progressive neuromuscular disease more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Instead of letting the news of his diagnosis get him down, nine months later Mr. Byer began scoping out the globe with a crew that included producer and sister Rebeccah Rush, cinematographer/producer Roko Belic, and editor Tim Baron. Mr. Byer was on a quest to meet other ALS patients bravely facing this incurable disease, as well as exploring possible treatments and remedies to ease some of the discomforts of the disease. His father and mother were also a part of the journey, as advocates for their son and his biggest supporters. Mr. Byer’s feature-length documentary Indestructible also benefits his nonprofit production company ALS Film Fund that has raised funds for the project.

S. Papadopoulos:

Before we begin, Mr. Byer, I would like to thank you for taking the time to sit with me for this interview. After watching your film premiere at Cinequest, I felt very inspired and touched by your story. I believe a great filmmaker is one who can tap into people’s deep emotions and expose them to the sometimes harsh realities of life. Sometimes those of us who are healthy and well take it for granted. There are many people in the world who complain about the smallest, most insignificant things, while others truly suffer and live day to day. People who have struggles in their lives are really the ones that understand life and appreciate every moment they have on earth. I want to thank you for sharing you triumphs and struggles with us through the wonderful medium of film.

Q: How did you decide to make a documentary about your life with ALS and why did you choose the title “Indestructible?”

A: I had no other way of working.  I was no longer able to write or act because of the disease, and at some point, I realized that making a documentary film was something that I could do, simply on a physical level.  Then it became a way to tell the story the way it needed to be told.  I don’t know if I could ever write a play or a fiction film that even comes close to the extraordinary nature of this story.

As for the title, it came about when I fell on my head in Beijing. On the way to the hospital, I was laughing, and the word just came out. But it was of a joke. Later, my friend and cinematographer, Roko, said that that was what we should call the movie. At first, I wasn’t sure, because it felt pretty bold, but then the title really began to make sense with the themes of the movie, and everyone loved it, so it stuck.

Q: As an actor, did you find it easier or more difficult to star in a film about your own true life experience, opposed to that of a fictional character?

A: They are two completely different things. But the one consistent thing about both of them is that you have to be honest. 

Q: Although the film has recently premiered, what has been some of the audiences’ reactions towards the film, and towards you after watching it?

A: On the professional level, after fifteen years and over forty movies and plays that I worked on in some fashion, I’ve never seen anything like it. The amount of passion and excitement around this film is unprecedented for me. On the personal level, it is definitely a window into my world, and people seem to be responding to that in a very deep way.

Q: Who do you hope the film will influence and what do you hope comes from exposing ALS in this way?

A: I would like people to view this movie and apply it to their own lives, whatever their struggles may be. I hope that it raises enough awareness for ALS that they find a cure.

Q: In the film, you travel abroad to Argentina, China, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, and Tibet. How did you come to the decision of visiting these particular countries?

A: My father met the husband of an ALS patient in Greece who invited us to visit his family, so we went. I decided to go to China because that is where Bu Nao Gao, the herbal medicine that I take, is from. We never made it to Tibet. I wanted to go, but we did visit a part of northwest China that was a part of Tibet at one time. I knew of an ALS patient in Buenos Aires that was about to do a stem-cell procedure. We filmed him, but he’s not in the final edit. I was on vacation in Jamaica and it ended up in the movie. 

My brother was in Africa, working for the UN, so we decided to meet in Israel. I’d been looking for a way to end the movie. I knew that we needed to go deeper into the experience and I felt like Israel was the right place to do that. 

Q: Your family was a key element in your film, as they traveled with you to the different countries you visited. How did they feel about being a part of your film and how did they react to your proposal of documenting your experience with Lou Gehrig’s?

A: Totally supportive all the way. There’s never been a moment of doubt that my family is completely behind me 100%.

Q: There is a scene in the film where you and your sister are arguing with your parents about the ethics of enrolling other Lou Gehrig’s patients in and for the fetal cell transplant procedure. Although the scene was refreshing, as it showed a real-life family’s quarrels, most people would not want such a private moment to be public. How did you convince your parents to allow you to keep that footage in the film?

A: I showed it to them before anyone else at a very early stage of the rough cut. I know that it was difficult for them to watch, and it probably still is, but that is the reality of the situation, and my parents have always believed in the far-reaching goals of the film. I think they were willing to give up a little privacy to help reach some of those goals.

Q: In the film I noticed that you smiled and laughed in many segments when playing with your son, spending time with your family, and while joking around with your friends. What brings you joy and how do you keep your spirits up?

A: Friends, family and work. Not necessarily in that order.

Q: A metaphorical scene in the film was when you were climbing Masada in Jerusalem, with the help of your brother. The journey from bottom to top is a feat to prevail for someone who does not have ALS, but to see you climb it was so amazing to watch. What thoughts were generating in your mind while you were climbing to the top, and how did you feel once you reached the peak?

A: My thoughts were, “Damn, this is hard.” And when I reached the peak, it was amazing and surreal that I actually made it. It was a pretty incredible moment. 

Q: In the film you mention that you left Judaism at the age of thirteen; during the film you once again seek out the religion. Has your diagnosis with ALS contributed to your want and/or need to seek out a higher power for answers, and if so, has it brought you closer to Judaism, or any other religion?

A: I definitely wanted to know if there was a God, and why would he do this to me. But in making the film, I came to realize that it is just the day-to-day process of living that we are all faced with. 

S. Papadopoulos:

Mr. Byer, I want to thank you again for taking the time to interview with me. I wish you the very best in your future and in health. I hope that a cure will be found for ALS very, very soon.

P.S. Congratulations on receiving the “Best Feature Documentary" at Cinequest Film Festival!