Cleveland International Film Festival } March 30 – April 10, 2022

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Crutch

Year: 2020
Country: USA
Run Time: 98 minutes

Two decades of exclusive access, plus a lifetime of archival footage, depict Bill Shannon from his early years to his rise as an award-winning dancer and cutting-edge performance artist whose work finds outlet at prestigious venues worldwide. CRUTCH documents Bill’s extraordinary journey: the history of his medical odyssey and his struggles with chronic pain, the evolution of his crutch dancing and skating, his rise to become a world-renowned performance artist, and his transformation from an angry skate punk to an international hero. CRUTCH also dives into Bill’s provocative street performances, in which he exposes the hidden world of assumptions disabled people encounter in public, on a daily basis. While the film questions his early exploitation of strangers’ good Samaritan impulses, it also marvels at Bill’s ability to create solutions and empower others to navigate similar challenges. From childhood “cripple” to international provocateur, CRUTCH is an emotional story of a one-of-a-kind artist’s struggle to be understood. — Vayabobo/Sachi Cunningham

CRUTCH will also be available to view with AUDIO DESCRIPTION - for those who are visually impaired. To purchase a ticket for the version with audio description, please visit the CRUTCH (WITH AUDIO DESCRIPTION) page.