The actor has presented a documentary about his life at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW).
Michael J. Fox is one of the most beloved actors by the public of all generations. Now, the star who became famous thanks to ‘Back to the Future’ has spoken about the most personal part of his life: his day-to-day life with Parkinson’s disease. After a screening of his documentary, ‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’, at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), which runs from March 10 to 19, the actor, who is now 61 years old, described what his life has been like since he was diagnosed in 1991 and how he went public in 1998.
When asked during a question-and-answer session how he “mobilized” people to care about Parkinson’s, he replied: “I had no choice. That’s it. I have to give everything I have, and it’s not lip service. Just show up and do the best I can.” Fox continued: “Pity is a benign form of abuse. I can feel sorry for myself, but I don’t have time for it. There are things to learn from this, so let’s do it and move on.“.
Answering questions about the film with director Davis Guggenheim, Fox said the purpose of sharing more about his story is to give back to his fans. “My fans have basically given me my life,” he explained. “I wanted to give my time and gratitude to these people who have done so much for me. It was great for me to hear from all of you.”
Speaking directly to Guggenheim, he added: “Parkinson’s sucks, but life is great, so thank you for that.” “I don’t regret it,” she said of her stint at work after the diagnosis. “You do what you have to do, but you don’t want to kill yourself. And that’s when I stopped.”
According to the synopsis of the documentary, the film “incorporates documentary, archival and some scripted elements, telling Fox’s extraordinary story in his own words“. While adding that the production provides an “account of Fox’s public life, filled with nostalgic emotions and cinematic sheen along with his never-before-seen private journey, including the years following his Parkinson’s diagnosis,” Fox shared that there’s so much more to the film than the details about his health.”David said from the beginning, ‘I want to cover Parkinson’s disease, but I don’t want to make a film about it.’ He made a movie about life,” the actor explained. “He made a conscious decision not to make a movie about Parkinson’s.”
In a 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, the ‘Back to the Future’ star revealed his decision to go public with his diagnosis. “It was seven or eight years after I was diagnosed… and the paparazzi and stuff would stand outside my house and interrupt me, like, ‘What’s wrong with you?'” Fox recalled. “I said, ‘No I can force my neighbors to deal with this,’ so I went out and it was great. It was a great thing.”
“It was a big surprise to me that people responded the way he did.“, he added. “They responded with interest, with the desire to find an answer to the disease, and so I saw that as a great opportunity. They didn’t put me in this position to waste it.”
After going public with his Parkinson’s, Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000.which is dedicated to finding a cure for the disease through heavily funded research and ensuring the development of improved therapies for people living with Parkinson’s today.”
The actor, the protagonist of one of the most famous film sagas, has always moved his fans with each reunion he has had with the other protagonists, especially with Christopher Lloyd, who will always be Doc. The last one was in February, in a fan reunion with Lloyd plus Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson.
Source: Fotogramas
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
