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The movie chronicles the lives of four “superheroes” earning a quick buck (on good days), warrants for their arrest (on bad days), and little respect (on most days) along Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a touching yet uncomfortable glimpse at the people who you generally walk right by on your way to the glitz and glamour. Below, Ogens discusses what made him want to tell this story, why you can’t help but root for Superman, and how one of the stars still can’t get on the right side of the law.

Q: Your documentary “Confessions of a Superhero” centers on Christopher Dennis (Superman), Jennifer Gehrt (Wonder Woman), Maxwell Allen (Batman), and Joe McQueen (The Hulk). What made these four stand out over all the others?

A: I wanted to choose characters that are timeless and iconic. Superheroes stand the test of time. I also wanted to keep a consistency of a certain type of character – meaning all are superheroes as opposed to one being Marilyn Monroe, another Bart Simpson.

I met Chris “Superman” Dennis first and he was my guide into the world of the characters of Hollywood Boulevard. From there I decided to document the people who just felt right to me. It was probably just instinctual.

Q: The film opens with the daunting yet familiar line, “Hollywood is a place where dreams are made and dreams are broken.” When you started shooting, did you think it was going to be a happy story or a sad one?

A: I always felt it was going to be a dark comedy. To me, life is a dark comedy. There are bleak moments and thrilling moments. If we didn’t have the valleys we wouldn’t know what the top of a mountain is. You need that juxtaposition to be able to compare and feel the highs and lows.

Q: What did you learn about the profession itself?

A: I learned that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Period.

Q: Some of the people interviewed for the film, including Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood, reduce what they do to “panhandling.” Do you see it this way?

A: I don’t personally see it this way. They are providing a service. If you don’t want to buy that service you don’t have to. Life is a choice.

Q: The common ground between the leading four is that they seem to desperately crave the attention of the media. In essence, they all really want to be big stars. Do you think this will ever happen for them?

A: I wish them all well and hope they find success. There is no one path to follow to make it in the entertainment business. Strange things happen. I do think some of the characters have a better chance than others, though.

Q: Do you have any updates on their careers since shooting wrapped? 

A: Jennifer “Wonder Woman” Gehrt recently got a role in an independent film and has a new agent.  In our film, Joe “Hulk” McQueen gets a bit part in “Finishing the Game,” directed by Justin Lin. That film is coming out soon so I have my fingers crossed that this will lead to more work for him.

Maxwell “Batman” Allen is not allowed in the 90028 zip code until 2010, per a court order.  He’s been working security, from what I hear.

Q: Let’s talk about Dennis, since he seems to be the star of the film, even appearing on the DVD cover. His knowledge of Superman, and hefty collection of memorabilia, suggest a hint of obsession, to put it mildly. What is it about him that keeps us rooting for him?

A: We root for him because he’s well-meaning. He’s harmless, and I don’t say that in a negative way. You feel like he is a child, an underdog, and you want him to win.

Q: The film documents a few trying times in their lives, from Gehrt’s failed marriage, McQueen’s stint on the streets, and Allen’s fits of rage. How did they respond to seeing these moments captured on film later on?

A: I’m sure it makes them feel uncomfortable. But it also allows them to view themselves somewhat objectively. “Batman,” on the other hand, doesn’t seem to like it. He’s sent me a couple of threatening e-mails. But that’s just who he is. I can’t please everyone and I don’t want to.

Q: Allen speaks a bit about his dark past from which he escaped. Do you buy his stories, or do you think they’re part of the character he is playing? Did any further investigation go into his “confession”?

A: Further investigation did go into the stories of this film. I don’t want to answer this question though. I want the audience to decide.

Q: I love the scene where “Marilyn Monroe” throws a hissy fit about her lack of tips, while “Superman” remains calm and level-headed about the whole practice. It’s interesting that these people seem to be drawn to characters who mirror their own traits. Thoughts?

A: I don’t believe in coincidences. These people chose their costumes for a reason even though it may be on a subconscious level. Either that or they chose their outfits and their personalities started changing to match their characters.

Q: Talk about a bit about the production side. How long did it take to make the film? Was it hard to get off the ground?

A: From the moment we decided to make this film we were shooting two weeks later. So it was easy to begin, but hard to finish. It’s an independent film and there are so many obstacles that it’s unnerving at times. So much “business” gets in the way, you lose steam because you lose the art of it sometimes. But I just take a deep breath and jump back in. It took about two-and-a-half years from start to finish. Editing was the hard part. Half of directing is in post-production.

Q: What do you hope that people will walk away with after seeing “Confessions”?

A: To see a little bit of themselves in these quirky characters and to want to see more. 

Q: Lastly, now that you see first-hand the trials and tribulations these performers go through, will you tip them well the next time you pass by?

A: I will tip them well. But I may need a vacation from the Boulevard first.

Confessions of a Superhero

USA, 2007, 92 min, VIDEO

DIR: Matthew Ogens
PROD: Jamie Patricof, Charlie Gruet, Matt Ogens
DP: Charlie Gruet
ED: Rick Lobo, Mick Legrande, Jason Djang, Michael Vicor
MUS: Greg Kuehn

www.therealsuperhero.com

This is the quintessential Los Angeles story. Young people with heads full of lofty dreams move to Los Angeles with hopes of making it big. But fate holds far too many twists for the naive newcomers and before long they are slapping on spandex for a living.

CONFESSIONS OF A SUPERHERO is a feature-length documentary that chronicles the lives of three mortal men and one woman who make their livings working as superhero characters on Hollywood Boulevard. This deeply personal look into their daily routines reveals their hardships and triumphs as they pursue and achieve their own kind of fame. The Hulk sold his Super Nintendo for a bus ticket to LA; Wonder Woman was a mid-western homecoming queen; Batman struggles with his anger, while Superman’s psyche is consumed by the Man of Steel. Although the Walk of Fame is right beneath their feet, their own paths to stardom are long, hard climbs.

This film gets it right. Compelling subject matter and characters are coupled with beautiful doc technique and style. It’s like a common comic book raised to a loftier purpose in the hands of a master storyteller. The film is a well-crafted ode not only to its subjects but to the American Pantheon and the men and women who live in its shadow every day.

Confessions of a Superhero IN LIMITED THEATRES STARTING NOVEMBER.

WATCH THE TRAILER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPceD3CrQeg

11/2 Two Boots Pioneer Theater, NYC
11/2 NEW Alamo Draft House Downtown, Austin on 6th St.
11/16 Laemmle’s Music Hall, LA
11/21 Starz Theater, Denver

Screening Times:

Friday, November 2nd 9:45pm
ArcLight Theatre 12

Sunday, November 4th 3:30pm
ArcLight Theatre 11

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