steroids Tagged Articles at Cinematical

In 1988, sprinter Ben Johnson exploded out of the blocks and powered his way to the finish line in the 100-meter dash at the Seoul Olympic Games, easily defeating a somewhat embarrassed Carl Lewis, who was heavily favored to win the race. It was a stunning television moment, a study in contrast between the well-muscled, modestly-spoken Canadian and the brash and lean American. Within 24 hours, it was all over. Johnson tested positive for steroid use and Lewis was awarded the gold medal.

At the time, it seemed outrageous that someone would cheat at such a high level of competitive sports. Of course, that was very naive thinking, but it was my personal "aha!" moment, the first time that steroids entered my vocabulary. As Christopher Bell explains in his entertaining, surprising documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster*, his "aha!" moment arrived when he learned that wrestling icons Hulk Hogan and Iron Sheik used steroids. Growing up in the 1980s, Bell idolized Hogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sylvester Stallone, manly men who were well-oiled muscle machines, their physiques achieved through entirely natural means, hard work and exercise rather than drugs.

In Bigger, Stronger, Faster, a big hit at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, documentarian Christopher Bell takes a hard look at steroid culture and the bad rap it gets from mainstream America, tackling the Western obsession with body image. Clocking in just under two hours, Bell's sprawling overview deals with the impact of 1980's pop culture icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, then dives into the gritty details of steroid usage in sports and the recent congressional hearings where baseball players were reprimanded on national television.

Bell doesn't view the issue in black-and-white terms: His own brothers, featured in the film, continually use steroids to enhance their bodybuilding careers. Contrasting the personal with the political, Bigger, Stronger, Faster diagnoses a distinctly American malady. Cinematical spoke with Bell last week in New York, where Bigger, Stronger, Faster has been screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. The movie opens May 30.

Cinematical: The movie tackles a major issue that many Americans have strong opinions about, but it also has a personal component because of your family's story. What's it been like facing the growing public awareness of the film?

Christopher Bell: It's so rewarding to hear, "Hey, you made a good movie. Thanks for telling the truth." We haven't really been criticized or attacked by anybody. There was one woman at Sundance who really upset about 'roid rage, saying that we glossed over it. I think we actually explained it pretty well.

Before I begin, you all need to know that I have not -- nor will I ever -- inject something into my ass. Now that we've cleared the air, anyone else watch this Roger Clemens thing this afternoon? What's up with this whole thing? And why does it have to turn into this ridiculous circus, with athletes testifying in front of Congress -- reports, analysis, blah blah blah. How does this help? When little Jimmy finds out that Roger Clemens won 150 Cy Young awards because of steroids, he won't touch the stuff ... because? Yes, great, they all did steroids. Let's test everyone from now on. Perfect. Problem solved! Oh no, there needs to be another investigation. And then another hearing. And then more people need to testify. Why? WHY?

Look, steroids are a big problem. Parents need to teach their children not to trust people who want to stick needles in places reserved for a little light smacking on an alcohol-fueled Friday night. And if these kids don't listen, then we need to use some scare tactics. Show them what steroids really do to a person. And since I'm a nice guy who wants to help, you can point your son or daughter toward the video below. After they watch it, you say: "This is what steroids do dammit! Love your body! Don't give into peer pressure!" Then you can come back here and thank me. No, wait, don't thank me. I'm just doing my job.