Legendary actor Michael J. Fox was met with a great response at Sundance upon the screening of his new documentary. Called Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, the doc focuses on the life and career of the Back to the Future star and Parkinson’s research advocate. Per Variety, Fox and director Davis Guggenheim were present to speak about the film with those in attendance, but not before Fox was met with an emotional standing ovation upon stepping out onto the stage.
It is said that the doc does not shy away from detailing the struggles Fox has had while living with Parkinson’s, with the disorder leading to broken bones and other painful injuries over the years. But Fox also is one to find the light in a dark situation, overcoming these difficulties with an immense appreciation for life and an enjoyment of what he does as a Parkinson’s advocate.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
“It got to the point recently with all these injuries where, I don’t want to get too grim, I certainly got disappointed with the way things were going," Fox explained during the Q&A. “[But then I realized] this rocks. I’ll take this. I love my life. I love my family. I love what I do…I love that I can be an example to people and help them deal with their issues.”
He continued, “When I look at the film, the thing that screams at me with how lucky I’ve been and how successful my life has been is the stuff with my family. It’s such joy.”
Michael J. Fox Has Raised $2 Billion for Parkinson’s Research
One fan in attendance at Sundance praised Fox for his great efforts with Parkinson’s research, raising $2 billion in funds with the goal of finding a cure. The Hollywood icon admits he’s frustrated by that number, as he’d been hoping they’d achieved their goal by now. However, Fox also says that progress is going very well toward finding a cure, noting that there may one day be a pill people can take that would prevent them from getting the disorder. That might come after Fox is no longer with us, but that’s not what’s important to the beloved actor.
“That number, as impressive as it is, kind of in a way pisses me off, because I thought that we’d be done with it by now… but, science is hard,” Fox is quoted as saying.
On the potential cure, Fox added, “People say, ‘But that will be after your time, are you ok with that?’ ‘Sh*t yeah! That would be great. Just get it done. I don’t care if I’m on the bus.’”
