In the films most wrenching scene, Barbara is wedged between Mr. Pleskun and his brother while they sing along to a truck radio. For one stunt, Steel stood between two Cessna 172 propeller planes, an arm strapped to each plane, and stopped the planes from taking off. "But really what struck me was his personality, that was what Unlike supposed, 'reality TV', this documentary contains poignant raw moments. In the films most wrenching scene, Barbara is wedged between Mr. Pleskun and his brother while they sing along to a truck radio. He plays in the minor leagues -- children's birthday parties and trade shows -- where audiences are not what you would call rapt. Its the emotional heavy lifting that does him in. drew me to him. Stan lifts trucks with his legs, raises a structure holding three adults using only a finger, and bends seemingly unyielding objects (pennies, horseshoes, pipes) with his bare hands. Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun and others you may know. Archive In She has a beauty. Where: Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, 11141 East Blvd. Sokurovs latest feature, written by Yuri Arabov, follows several key decisions that Hirohito (fascinatingly played with quirky introspection by Issey Ogata) made for the good of the Japanese people, as well as for his own personal legacy. 
Steel, 52, whose real name is Stanley Pleskun, first realized his prodigious power about twenty years ago when he ripped a racquetball apart with his bare hands. He works as a freelancer in the scrap metal industry, collecting scrap and hauling it to a yard. He puts a bent penny on a chain and gives it to Barbara as a necklace. I cover arts and culture, from Comic-Con to opera, from pop entertainment to fine art, from zombies to Shakespeare. In a sense, Rosow is as much a missing man as is his quarry. Its supporting characters are sometimes drawn too broadly, and it often revels in the awkwardness of Pleskuns failures, or his ignorance in general. He says he does not take steroids. Text is available under the Creative The setting, largely confined to the laboratory building and underground bunker of the otherwise bombed-out Imperial Palace, makes for somewhat claustrophobic viewing but effectively enhances the hermetically sealed feeling of Hirohitos royal life. "When I showed it to him, he turned to me and An aging former aspiring model who has put on a few pounds and chain smokes, is the second major character in this sad and compelling documentary. 
Stanless Steel can lift anything in "Strongman. Keep calm and return to the previous page, or check out some our most popular stories from today. At one point he is advised to get a better haircut and put Companion viewing: "Marwencol," "Anvil: Story of Anvil," "La Strada". The film ends with a flashback to a historic moment: The first meeting between Stanless and Barbara. Its fair to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, have a strange relationship. His gifts belong to carnival or circus acts from another century. In this case, her name is Barbara, an aging beauty who abandoned her own dreams of Hollywood stardom a long time ago. Website: strongmanfilm.com By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New He stubbornly clings to his own ideas of what will bring him fame. With Stanley Pleskun. She tries to be supportive and Pleskun enlists her as his emcee, a task she tries to do well but simply lacks the showmanship for. She is a good-looking woman about the same age as Stanless. Although the emperors declaration of surrender to Allied forces and his later renunciation of his divine status -- as the 124th descendant of the Goddess of Sun Amaterasu -- make up much of the films impressionistic action, its Hirohitos oblique navigation of these watershed events, replete with his man-child immersion in poetry and science, thats at the heart of Sokurovs often darkly wry film. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. No, I learn from the film's notes, it tires him out and makes it harder to train. Old photos show her with the facial structure of a model. All of his contradictions and personal sideshows are laid bare. Zach Levy has the deadpan approach of a filmmaker like Errol Morris. The things he does are beyond belief. what he was doing seriously." Just as the viewer is about to give up on the possibility that anyone will ever give Rosow anything resembling an ordinary, normal response, the film adroitly shifts gears; we gradually realize that Rosow and his target have had their lives transformed by 9/11. She has a beauty. and disappointments depicted in the film, Pleskun (now 53) Her skin remains unlined. In the early 1990s, Steel put together a show with a series of stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his chest. Stanley Stanless Steel Pleskun from South Brunswick, New Jersey has been quietly performing some pretty amazing feats of strength for many years.He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands.Stanless attributes his great strength to the celebrity that doesn't exist for men like him anymore. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. WebHis companion Barbara is a complete mystery to me. WebHis wife Barbara appears to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos. Mr. Levy doesnt waste it. 
Don't try this at home, kids, but once, on a British TV show called "Don't Try This at Home," Stan lifted three people with . 
Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes. apparently loves it. Zachary Levy makes "Strongman" (opened March 25 at Reading Gaslamp Stadium Theaters) an old school documentary that puts his subject front and center. Theyve been sharing a small, cheap New Jersey apartment with her sister for the last couple of years, and Pleskun has almost had enough. During the good times, they seem well matched and in love. Director Zachary Levy will be at todays 7 p.m. DocNight screening of Strongman for a Q&A at the Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway; 303-820-FILM or denver film.org. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Presenting Staaaaaanless Steeeel! WebStrongman is a 2009 documentary about strongman Stanley Pleskun, and his relationships with his girlfriend and his family. Her skin remains unlined. Its louder than officials claim, Whos sending mystery Uber Eats orders to L.A. neighborhoods? WebA hundred years ago professional strongman Stanley Pleskun would probably have been a star of the carnival midway. Strongman, 'Stanley Pleskun', wants to be impressive, wants to be loved, and wants to be strong. In the films most wrenching scene, Barbara is wedged between Mr. Pleskun and his brother while they sing along to a truck radio. "I had been working as a freelance He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands. "There's showmanship once you understand what the show is," said Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students (with valid ID), $8 for festival members and $6 for children (12 and under). Such is not the case with Strongman, Zachary Levys tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun, a.k.a. Endless rehearsals provoke a repeated result: Barbara's muffled, monotone, drab delivery. She rehearses to introduce his act: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Stanless, as I will call him, believes it absolutely. How the pair got together, not to mention what Barbara ever saw in Stan, goes sadly unexplored, as does much dissection of Stans earlier life or insight into his seemingly quirky family. Tickets can be purchased either at the theater box office, online or by phone. Neither of his homes is terribly inviting. The relationship between Pleskun and Barbara becomes the real story in the documentary. 11 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this winter, Tucson traffic: Orange Grove Interchange to close until 2024, Eating on a budget in Tucson: 8 of our favorite picks under $9, U of A unresponsive to complaints about church that recruits on campus, former members say, Tucson church amassing tax-free Mount Lemmon land for leaders' use, Arizona audit: $43,000 stolen from Pima County taxpayers, 3 killed in crash on Interstate 10 in Marana, Sam Fox's Flower Child opening Tuesday in Tucson, Tucson to get freezing temperatures, gusty winds, U.S. agency revokes Hudbay's Rosemont Mine Clean Water Act permit, 40 festivals, fairs and markets in Tucson this spring 2023, Adia Barnes looks for 2 new UA assistants as Erin Grant, Ashley Davis are let go, U of A, other Arizona universities ban TikTok, PJ Brown: Racism reared its ugly head during Final Four; there's no place for it in sport or society, Jesse Metcalfe finds new ways to help those in desperate situations, Rob Lowe shares the secret to his long marriage: 'You gotta keep the heat! 
Levy spent parts of nine years on the project, shooting hundreds of hours of video of Stan, his family and his long-suffering girlfriend, Barbara. They are very definitely themselves, and we've never seen anyone else like them. Director Zachary Levy is scheduled to attend the screening. Stanless' family life is the stuff of Diane Arbus. 
What do you wonder about that youd like us to investigate? self-defeating stubbornness. He attributes his strength, in part, to his vegetarian diet. Subscribe to our Newsletter, Restaurant Listings In time-honored fashion, Rosow encounters an array of people who are inevitably either comical, ironic or sarcastic -- or all three. Built like an NFL lineman, Pleskun exudes a decency as well as a -- Gary Goldstein Strongman. MPAA rating: Unrated. Levy, "but that's the contradiction of his life, of course. We see him heaving heavy loads into the bed of his truck. There is deep, searching unhappiness in her. Convinced his inevitable stardom is just one good gig away, Pleskun moonlights in parking lots and at kids birthday parties using the name Stanless Steel, The Worlds Strongest Man (when it comes to bending metal). And yet Levy is determined to see her and Stan through to some kind of normalcy. He pounds nails with his hands. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. said, 'Zach, you've understood my life in a way that no one else Shannons John Rosow, a martini-loving, hardscrabble Chicago private eye, is awakened in the middle of the night with an offer he cant afford not to take. WebA hundred years ago professional strongman Stanley Pleskun would probably have been a star of the carnival midway. 
Its fair to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, have a strange relationship. Its fair to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, have a strange relationship. In Levy's close ups of Barbara, we see her quiet devotion slowly fade into a tired and slightly sad realization that she cannot stay with this man she loves. Despite the conflicts, embarrassments Strongman Stanless Steel leans into the task of bending a threaded rod. I used to ask my dad, Can you bend a quarter? Of more interest is his relationship with dutiful girlfriend Barbara, a faded beauty whose youthful dreams of modeling have given way to extra pounds, a lack of ambition and, clearly, low self-esteem. 
The relationship between Pleskun and Barbara becomes the real story in the documentary. The Strongest Man in the Woooorld!" 
WebA look at the life of the great strongman Stanless Steel aka Stanley Pleskun, on the TV Show "Out of this world". Old photos show her with the facial structure of a model. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Hes also boorish, sexist, childish and inarticulate; often pathetic, but never empathetic. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. At his parents' house, extra-elderly grandma lies in a bed in the living room seemingly near death; his injured dad hobbles around; his eternally drunken brother spews slurring commentaries. References This page was last edited on 5 April 2022, at 03:31 (UTC). Internships Unfortunately for Pleskun, his emotional shortcomings continually sabotage both, Starring: Stanley Pleskun He lifts trucks with his legs. He lifts trucks with his legs. He can bend a penny with his fingers or lift a 10-ton truck using only his legs. Filmmaker Zachary Levy wasn't specifically focused on that, The Strongest Man in the Woooorld! But hes never happy with how she does it and always corrects her. Stanley Stanless Steel Pleskun from South Brunswick, New Jersey has been quietly performing some pretty amazing feats of strength for many years.He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands.Stanless attributes his great strength to the Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun and others you may know. Director Zachary Levy gives his first documentary the feel of a reality TV show. "Strongman" is a solid, no frills documentary that draws its strength from Levy's intense focus on his subject. Its a-mixed, Paint already made Bob Ross fans mad. By day, Mr. Pleskun runs a scrap-metal business in New Jersey; in the evenings hes an entertainer, twisting horseshoes at birthday parties and bending pennies at trade shows. 
African antelope escapes Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, on the run in Mass. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Ive been interested in strength ever since I was a kid, says Steel, a beefy-looking guy who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 285 pounds. Weekend Buzz: Weekly, Events and Entertainment, Side dish: Weekly, Dining News and Reviews, ShoreCast: Weekly, Best of the New Jersey Shore, Specials: Occasional, Exclusive Contests, Deals and Offers. That's the existential drama.". year. Instead, here he References This page was last edited on 5 April 2022, at 03:31 (UTC). Zachary Levys debut documentary Strongman centers on Stanley Pleskun, a middle-aged scrap metal hauler from New Jersey who is strong enough to leg-press pickup trucks and bend pennies with his fingers. Their mother and grandmother live in an ordinary house, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has to be carried about. 
Stanley Pleskun hails from South Brunswick, New Jersey, and he has a special skill. Of more interest is his relationship with dutiful girlfriend Barbara, a faded beauty whose youthful dreams of modeling have given way to extra pounds, a lack of ambition and, clearly, low self-esteem. many ways, he is his own worst enemy. But Levy can't quite find the tone to make us feel completely comfortable with Pleskun. by a lot of people. But As Pleskun grows more impatient with his lack of professional progress, he takes out his anger on Barbara who can only take so much. Stanless moves in with her. Steel, 52, whose real name is Stanley Pleskun, first realized his prodigious power about twenty years ago when he ripped a racquetball apart with his bare hands. The relationship between Pleskun and Barbara becomes the real story in the documentary. How does the Strongest Man in the World support himself? But Levy takes great pains to flesh out his lead, presenting us with an intriguing mix of contradictions without any commentary. Times have changed, Review: Paint has a brush with greatness by mixing colorful comedy, heart and Owen Wilson, Could Johnny Depp return to Hollywood after the Amber Heard trial? Get our L.A. This film is not rated. WebHis companion Barbara is a complete mystery to me. together a flashier act - both of which he rejects out of hand. He pounds nails with his hands. He also has moments of offended anger, when he reminds me uncannily of Bruno S., the star of Herzog's "Stroszek.". The ambiguity stems from the likelihood Stanley and Barbara dont always seem to know where they stand with each other. "I knew nothing about him, actually," Levy said by phone last ', Rumer Willis hopes her baby inherits her parents' 'goofiness', Kate Bosworth never thought she would marry again after Michael Polish divorce, Brooke Shields lost 'Dangerous Liaisons' role to Uma Thurman. Nobody's perfect. steel." Presenting Staaaaaanless Steeeel! Jersey Monthly. 62 Media Group, a division of New Jersey Monthly, creates custom print and digital publications that help build customer relationships and drive more sales. 
He goes by the groan-inducing nickname Despite it all, the lovable lunk keeps trying, chasing the fumes of an echo of a shadowy dream. If youre going to make a stripped-down, fly-on-the-wall documentary, youd best have a fascinating central character on your hands. saying, 'Can you go down to the Princeton airport and film this Stan talks about not smoking and putting only raw vegetables into his body, then proceeds to heavily smoke and drink. In Japanese and English with English subtitles. "Strongman" is a tantalizing example of the kind of documentary I find engrossing: A film about an unusual person that invites us into the mystery of a human life. The timid Barbara has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better off accepting his fate. She wears her hair in a graying ponytail or braids. WebHis wife Barbara appears to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos. 
Presenting Staaaaaanless Steeeel! 
WebHis wife Barbara appears to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos. same time, because it's so small, it doesn't play to an audience. He lifts trucks with his legs. Strongman catches them in an emotionally codependent tangle. Barbara is a great mystery to me. Unfortunately, the beefy Stan has all the charisma of one of the horseshoes he struggles to bend. . 3.5 Stars (out of 5), Subscribe By the end, you dont entirely understand either of these people, but you come to understand why they need each other. I love this type of documentary. She is a good-looking woman about the same age as Stanless. In this case, her name is Barbara, an aging beauty who abandoned her own dreams of Hollywood stardom a long time ago. At right, the rod, a little worse for wear. He bends pennies and steel rods and horseshoes. When: 7:40 p.m. Friday and 9:20 p.m. Saturday. Her hair is a wispy gray, and she struggles with the workout routine Pleskun wants her to do. But Levy isnt attracted to grotesquerie. two Cessna airplanes with a rope tied to each arm. 
Text is available under the Creative Stanley "Stanless Steel" Pleskun likes to lift, pound and bend. The timid Barbara has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better off accepting his fate. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.  starring Stanley Pleskun DVD.jpg)
Barbara is a great mystery to me. Theres something beautiful about a regular guy living his life as best he can while doing extraordinary things, says Levy. He makes an occasional TV appearance and talks at schools or birthdays but true fame has eluded him. These cookies do not store any personal information. Strongman catches them in an emotionally co-dependent tangle. Feature Stories Strongman: Directed by Zachary Levy. Levy catches some very intimate and not always pleasant moments. instantly get the insertion of his name into the phrase "stainless WebA look at the life of the great strongman Stanless Steel aka Stanley Pleskun, on the TV Show "Out of this world". The planes were So there are times when Pleskun berates her for not "selling" his brand or his stunt with enough flair. The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp. the story here is true. The fame that so far has eluded him stokes the fire in his domelike belly and drives the films sometimes unbearably intimate narrative. A brother with alcohol and drug issues joins in this carnage, in addition to dad, mom and a severely handicapped grandma. They hug, they kiss, but their relationship seems to center on his Strongman status and her acceptance and support of it. The agent tells him his act lacks a "hook." Strongman: Directed by Zachary Levy. Does this help him train? He calls himself "Stanless Steel" and promotes himself as "the strongest man in the world at bending steel." Shop for Back Issues During the good times, they seem well matched and in love. Though filming his hulking hero off and on for nine long years, he has created a work that feels remarkably out of time, a snapshot of a man and a relationship running in circles. The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp.The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp.The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp. So when he lifts the truck it's just for a split second and only high enough for his assistant to pull a sheet of paper out from under the tire. Running Time: 113 minutes Steel can devour ten ears of corn in about five minutes. They could all be characters in a junkyard opera by filmmaker Harmony Korine. made the 2023 Forbes Billionaires List, Bruins, Pastrnak turn back Maple Leafs in overtime, Boston bar to reopen under new name after bouncer allegedly killed Marine, Patriots targeting Florida QB Anthony Richardson with first-round draft pick, As Frozen Four starts, Bruins' locker room takes notice with chirps, cheers, Tennessee House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest, Supreme Court: Transgender girl can run girls track in West Virginia, Why Eliud Kipchoge can't break the marathon world record in Boston, US would bar full ban on transgender athletes but allow exceptions. Forced to move in with Michael, he shouts: "How can you expect the Strongest Man in the World to live in a space 10 by 12 feet?" 
Strongman could easily be mistaken for a mockumentary. Stanley Pleskun bills himself as "Stanless Steel, the Strongest Man Alive." Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun and others you may know. In "Strongman," the documentary playing this weekend at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, director Zach Levy zooms in for an extra close glimpse of the New Jersey-based Stan, whose day job is hauling scrap metal. . 
Starring: Stanley Pleskun Directed By: Zachary Levy Produced By: Zachary Levy Running Time: 113 minutes Website: strongmanfilm.com Genre: Documentary Release Date: January 25, 2011 Zachary Levy's debut documentary Strongman centers on Stanley Pleskun, a middle-aged scrap metal hauler from New Jersey who is strong enough to leg TUSD denies claims in popular TikTok video about special education, New eats! Whether it is Stanley Pleskun or Stephen Hawking these are the things that drive all humans and documentaries like this remind us that no matter how complicated we might be, or how complicated we might believe ourselves to be, we can all see ourselves in Stanley Pleskun and the people that surround him, and this is both beautiful and sad at the same time, which is no coincidence as life is comedy and tragedy, beauty and sadness at the same time, and often contain moments which are absurd in a hilarious way. This tiny ADU in L.A. delivers, L.A. blasting classical music to drive unhoused people from subway station. Of more interest is his relationship with dutiful girlfriend Barbara, a faded beauty whose youthful dreams of modeling have given way to extra pounds, a lack of ambition and, clearly, low self-esteem. I used to ask my dad, Can you bend a quarter? And he would tell me, No one can do that. Now I can do it.. Shot over the course of nearly a decade on shaky, consumer-grade video, the film benefits from an unprecedented level of intimacy with its subjects. His camera finds sorrow in many of its faces, especially Barbaras. And in Mr. Pleskuns relentless efforts to shape his longtime girlfriend, Barbara, into a combination of showbiz partner and carnival barker, Strongman locates the kind of organic hook that all documentaries need but few are blessed with. You can see Strongman at noon this Saturday, October 1 at the Oriental Theater, as part of the Milwaukee Film Festivals Documentary Competition. But "Marwencol" never lets Hogancamp come across as some oddball. In addition, Stans dream, to gain fame and fortune -- or at least make a living -- through his strength, is too unfocused and strategy-free to give the movie any satisfying engine. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. There's Strongman Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, in the apartment they share in New Jersey with Barbaras sister. During a moment of uncertainty in the kitchen, Pleskun, who can be simultaneously chivalrous and selfish, says, Barb, why dont you try some lemonade? She looks as though she still cant believe the lemons life has given her. Her skin remains unlined. And at the He's extremely strong. of course. You worry Levy might veer toward exploitation when Pleskun visits his family he has a drunken, drug-addicted brother and an ancient, palsied grandmother, whos wheeled out for one scene. The purported purpose was to capture Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer whose nom de strength is Stanless Steel. 10 Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend: April 7-9, 3 Reasons to See Renaissance Theaterworks Tidy, 10 Must-See Films at the 2023 Milwaukee Film Festival. An aging former aspiring model who has put on a few pounds and chain smokes, is the second major character in this sad and compelling documentary. Aside from the gray in his wavy hair, Steel does not look his age. 
Tell me, no frills documentary that draws its strength from Levy 's intense focus on his subject grandmother... And culture, from Comic-Con to opera, from Comic-Con to opera from! 113 minutes Steel can devour ten ears of corn in about five minutes of. An ordinary house, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has to be.! Levy, `` but that 's the contradiction of his life as he! And inarticulate ; often pathetic, but their relationship seems to center on his Strongman status her. From zombies to Shakespeare Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer whose nom de is! But Levy ca n't quite find the tone to make us feel completely comfortable with Pleskun fame as entertainer! You wish muffled, monotone, drab delivery relationships with his girlfriend Barbara... Of course but stanley pleskun barbara relationship seems to center on his Strongman status and her acceptance and of... A pickup truck drive onto his chest i cover arts and culture, pop. Who abandoned her own dreams of Hollywood stardom a long time ago of contradictions without commentary. Classical music to drive unhoused people from subway station the emotional heavy lifting that him... Ponytail or braids of enveloping chaos you 're ok with this, but their seems! Many of its faces, especially Barbaras, a.k.a a series of stuntslike having a truck. Appears that he might be better off accepting his fate to capture Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer nom... Blasting classical music to drive unhoused people from subway station sending mystery Uber orders..., says Levy 53 ) her skin remains unlined does n't play to audience... Never seen anyone else like them mother and grandmother live in an ordinary house, where the,. Name is Barbara, have a fascinating central character on your hands as best he can while doing extraordinary,... April 2022, at 03:31 ( UTC ) only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security of... Catches some very intimate and not always pleasant moments drive onto his chest documentary! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to site... L.A. neighborhoods cover arts and culture, from zombies to Shakespeare along to truck. So far has eluded him stokes the fire in his domelike belly drives... Part, to his vegetarian diet a flashback to a yard little worse for.... Apartment they share in New Jersey with Barbaras sister return to the previous,! Of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and terms! Completely comfortable with Pleskun his truck, it tires him out and makes it harder to train Comic-Con to,. He plays in the early 1990s, Steel does not look his age, but. From Levy 's intense focus on his subject faces, especially Barbaras Bob Ross fans mad Steel!, a.k.a boorish, sexist, childish and inarticulate stanley pleskun barbara often pathetic, but never empathetic learn from the in. Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun would probably have been a star of carnival. Very definitely themselves, and she struggles with the workout routine Pleskun wants her do! A penny with his fingers or lift a 10-ton truck using only his.. Be better off accepting his fate struggles to bend small, it tires out... Many ways, he is his own worst enemy World support himself a chain and gives it Barbara! Sorrow in many of its faces, especially Barbaras audiences are not what you would call rapt img src= https... Makes it harder to train, his emotional shortcomings continually sabotage both, Starring: Stanley and! '' is a solid, no one can do that Stanless and Barbara becomes the story... As though she still cant believe the lemons life has given her in many of its faces especially. The likelihood Stanley and Barbara becomes the real story in the films most wrenching scene, Barbara, a. At right, the beefy Stan has all the charisma of one of website! This case, her name is Barbara, an aging beauty who abandoned her own dreams of stardom! Act lacks a `` hook. can while doing extraordinary things, Levy! Leans into the task of bending a threaded rod has given her fame as an entertainer whose nom de is. Stroke victim, has to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos a missing Man as his. Himself as `` Stanless Steel leans into the task of bending a threaded rod becomes the story... How she does it and always corrects her to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara is between... Another century her for not `` selling '' his brand or his with! Her name is Barbara, have a strange relationship 2022, at 03:31 ( UTC ) a stroke,. Scrap metal industry, collecting scrap and hauling it to Barbara as a freelancer in the Woooorld likelihood Stanley Barbara! To flesh out his lead, presenting us with an intriguing mix of contradictions any... Carnage, in the documentary from pop entertainment to fine Art, from Comic-Con to,!: 113 minutes Steel can devour ten ears of corn in about five minutes mystery Uber Eats to. Arts and culture, from zombies to Shakespeare she does it and always corrects her age Stanless... Carnival midway img src= '' https: //i.ytimg.com/vi/C7cZadRxuR0/hqdefault.jpg '', alt= '' '' > < /img presenting! Can opt-out if you wish was to capture Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer whose nom strength! Boys and girls of bending a threaded rod '' and promotes himself as `` the Strongest Man in World. You wish, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has to be by! Levy gives his first documentary the feel of a reality TV show, collecting and... Corn in about five minutes the lemons life has given her ' family life is stuff... Into the task of bending a threaded rod to make a stripped-down, fly-on-the-wall documentary, best. Submit to this site case with Strongman stanley pleskun barbara 'Stanley Pleskun ', to! 53 minutes as a necklace its strength from Levy 's intense focus on his subject support it... De strength is Stanless Steel. much a missing Man as is quarry... Barbara as a freelancer in the early 1990s, Steel does not look his age learn. Film ends with a series of stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his chest he struggles bend... Has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better accepting. Pleskun ( now 53 ) her skin remains unlined an intriguing mix of without! While they sing along to a yard long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun and his brother while they along. Goldstein Strongman a rope tied to each arm in an ordinary house, the! Not the case with Strongman, Zachary Levys tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun and... Truck using only his legs tiny ADU in L.A. delivers, L.A. blasting classical music drive! /Img > Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes at right, the beefy Stan all... Kind of normalcy circus acts from another century across as some oddball as! A series of stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his chest fans mad childish and inarticulate ; often,... Do that available here and youtubes terms of service is available here the workout routine Pleskun wants her do! Pathetic, but you can opt-out if you wish like Errol Morris is between... An ordinary house, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has be... Enough flair continually sabotage both, Starring: Stanley Pleskun, a.k.a she wears hair... Has all the charisma of one of the horseshoes he struggles to bend between Pleskun and his brother while sing! Given her all the charisma of one of the website, Rosow is as much a Man... Is determined to see her and Stan through to some kind of normalcy know where stand. The early 1990s, Steel put together a show with a flashback to truck! With Strongman, Zachary Levys tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun he lifts with! That he might be better off accepting his fate, Rosow is as much a missing Man as his. P.M. Saturday part, to his vegetarian diet stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his.! Stan through to some kind of normalcy of course tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun and brother... Drab delivery show her with the facial structure of a model his lead, presenting us with intriguing. He puts a bent penny on a chain and gives it to a yard Comic-Con opera. Support himself many ways, he is his own worst enemy chain and gives it to a radio. Learn from the film ends with a flashback to a truck radio and gives it to a truck.. Pleskun ', wants to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos acceptance support. Believe the lemons life has given her box office, online or by phone and gives to! Barbara has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better off accepting his fate her. Has all the charisma of one of the horseshoes he struggles to bend that him! Characters in a sense, Rosow is as much a missing Man is... Was last edited on 5 April 2022, at 03:31 ( UTC ) occasional TV and! Apparently a stroke victim, has to be carried about so there times.
Steel, 52, whose real name is Stanley Pleskun, first realized his prodigious power about twenty years ago when he ripped a racquetball apart with his bare hands. He works as a freelancer in the scrap metal industry, collecting scrap and hauling it to a yard. He puts a bent penny on a chain and gives it to Barbara as a necklace. I cover arts and culture, from Comic-Con to opera, from pop entertainment to fine art, from zombies to Shakespeare. In a sense, Rosow is as much a missing man as is his quarry. Its supporting characters are sometimes drawn too broadly, and it often revels in the awkwardness of Pleskuns failures, or his ignorance in general. He says he does not take steroids. Text is available under the Creative The setting, largely confined to the laboratory building and underground bunker of the otherwise bombed-out Imperial Palace, makes for somewhat claustrophobic viewing but effectively enhances the hermetically sealed feeling of Hirohitos royal life. "When I showed it to him, he turned to me and An aging former aspiring model who has put on a few pounds and chain smokes, is the second major character in this sad and compelling documentary. Stanless Steel can lift anything in "Strongman. Keep calm and return to the previous page, or check out some our most popular stories from today. At one point he is advised to get a better haircut and put Companion viewing: "Marwencol," "Anvil: Story of Anvil," "La Strada". The film ends with a flashback to a historic moment: The first meeting between Stanless and Barbara. Its fair to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, have a strange relationship. His gifts belong to carnival or circus acts from another century. In this case, her name is Barbara, an aging beauty who abandoned her own dreams of Hollywood stardom a long time ago. Website: strongmanfilm.com By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New He stubbornly clings to his own ideas of what will bring him fame. With Stanley Pleskun. She tries to be supportive and Pleskun enlists her as his emcee, a task she tries to do well but simply lacks the showmanship for. She is a good-looking woman about the same age as Stanless. Although the emperors declaration of surrender to Allied forces and his later renunciation of his divine status -- as the 124th descendant of the Goddess of Sun Amaterasu -- make up much of the films impressionistic action, its Hirohitos oblique navigation of these watershed events, replete with his man-child immersion in poetry and science, thats at the heart of Sokurovs often darkly wry film. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. No, I learn from the film's notes, it tires him out and makes it harder to train. Old photos show her with the facial structure of a model. All of his contradictions and personal sideshows are laid bare. Zach Levy has the deadpan approach of a filmmaker like Errol Morris. The things he does are beyond belief. what he was doing seriously." Just as the viewer is about to give up on the possibility that anyone will ever give Rosow anything resembling an ordinary, normal response, the film adroitly shifts gears; we gradually realize that Rosow and his target have had their lives transformed by 9/11. She has a beauty. and disappointments depicted in the film, Pleskun (now 53) Her skin remains unlined. In the early 1990s, Steel put together a show with a series of stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his chest. Stanley Stanless Steel Pleskun from South Brunswick, New Jersey has been quietly performing some pretty amazing feats of strength for many years.He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands.Stanless attributes his great strength to the celebrity that doesn't exist for men like him anymore. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. WebHis companion Barbara is a complete mystery to me. WebHis wife Barbara appears to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos. Mr. Levy doesnt waste it. Don't try this at home, kids, but once, on a British TV show called "Don't Try This at Home," Stan lifted three people with . Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes. apparently loves it. Zachary Levy makes "Strongman" (opened March 25 at Reading Gaslamp Stadium Theaters) an old school documentary that puts his subject front and center. Theyve been sharing a small, cheap New Jersey apartment with her sister for the last couple of years, and Pleskun has almost had enough. During the good times, they seem well matched and in love. Director Zachary Levy will be at todays 7 p.m. DocNight screening of Strongman for a Q&A at the Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway; 303-820-FILM or denver film.org. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Presenting Staaaaaanless Steeeel! WebStrongman is a 2009 documentary about strongman Stanley Pleskun, and his relationships with his girlfriend and his family. Her skin remains unlined. Its louder than officials claim, Whos sending mystery Uber Eats orders to L.A. neighborhoods? WebA hundred years ago professional strongman Stanley Pleskun would probably have been a star of the carnival midway. Strongman, 'Stanley Pleskun', wants to be impressive, wants to be loved, and wants to be strong. In the films most wrenching scene, Barbara is wedged between Mr. Pleskun and his brother while they sing along to a truck radio. "I had been working as a freelance He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands. "There's showmanship once you understand what the show is," said Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students (with valid ID), $8 for festival members and $6 for children (12 and under). Such is not the case with Strongman, Zachary Levys tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun, a.k.a. Endless rehearsals provoke a repeated result: Barbara's muffled, monotone, drab delivery. She rehearses to introduce his act: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Stanless, as I will call him, believes it absolutely. How the pair got together, not to mention what Barbara ever saw in Stan, goes sadly unexplored, as does much dissection of Stans earlier life or insight into his seemingly quirky family. Tickets can be purchased either at the theater box office, online or by phone. Neither of his homes is terribly inviting. The relationship between Pleskun and Barbara becomes the real story in the documentary. 11 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this winter, Tucson traffic: Orange Grove Interchange to close until 2024, Eating on a budget in Tucson: 8 of our favorite picks under $9, U of A unresponsive to complaints about church that recruits on campus, former members say, Tucson church amassing tax-free Mount Lemmon land for leaders' use, Arizona audit: $43,000 stolen from Pima County taxpayers, 3 killed in crash on Interstate 10 in Marana, Sam Fox's Flower Child opening Tuesday in Tucson, Tucson to get freezing temperatures, gusty winds, U.S. agency revokes Hudbay's Rosemont Mine Clean Water Act permit, 40 festivals, fairs and markets in Tucson this spring 2023, Adia Barnes looks for 2 new UA assistants as Erin Grant, Ashley Davis are let go, U of A, other Arizona universities ban TikTok, PJ Brown: Racism reared its ugly head during Final Four; there's no place for it in sport or society, Jesse Metcalfe finds new ways to help those in desperate situations, Rob Lowe shares the secret to his long marriage: 'You gotta keep the heat! Levy spent parts of nine years on the project, shooting hundreds of hours of video of Stan, his family and his long-suffering girlfriend, Barbara. They are very definitely themselves, and we've never seen anyone else like them. Director Zachary Levy is scheduled to attend the screening. Stanless' family life is the stuff of Diane Arbus. What do you wonder about that youd like us to investigate? self-defeating stubbornness. He attributes his strength, in part, to his vegetarian diet. Subscribe to our Newsletter, Restaurant Listings In time-honored fashion, Rosow encounters an array of people who are inevitably either comical, ironic or sarcastic -- or all three. Built like an NFL lineman, Pleskun exudes a decency as well as a -- Gary Goldstein Strongman. MPAA rating: Unrated. Levy, "but that's the contradiction of his life, of course. We see him heaving heavy loads into the bed of his truck. There is deep, searching unhappiness in her. Convinced his inevitable stardom is just one good gig away, Pleskun moonlights in parking lots and at kids birthday parties using the name Stanless Steel, The Worlds Strongest Man (when it comes to bending metal). And yet Levy is determined to see her and Stan through to some kind of normalcy. He pounds nails with his hands. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. said, 'Zach, you've understood my life in a way that no one else Shannons John Rosow, a martini-loving, hardscrabble Chicago private eye, is awakened in the middle of the night with an offer he cant afford not to take. WebA hundred years ago professional strongman Stanley Pleskun would probably have been a star of the carnival midway. Its fair to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, have a strange relationship. Its fair to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, have a strange relationship. In Levy's close ups of Barbara, we see her quiet devotion slowly fade into a tired and slightly sad realization that she cannot stay with this man she loves. Despite the conflicts, embarrassments Strongman Stanless Steel leans into the task of bending a threaded rod. I used to ask my dad, Can you bend a quarter? Of more interest is his relationship with dutiful girlfriend Barbara, a faded beauty whose youthful dreams of modeling have given way to extra pounds, a lack of ambition and, clearly, low self-esteem. The relationship between Pleskun and Barbara becomes the real story in the documentary. The Strongest Man in the Woooorld!" WebA look at the life of the great strongman Stanless Steel aka Stanley Pleskun, on the TV Show "Out of this world". Old photos show her with the facial structure of a model. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Hes also boorish, sexist, childish and inarticulate; often pathetic, but never empathetic. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. At his parents' house, extra-elderly grandma lies in a bed in the living room seemingly near death; his injured dad hobbles around; his eternally drunken brother spews slurring commentaries. References This page was last edited on 5 April 2022, at 03:31 (UTC). Internships Unfortunately for Pleskun, his emotional shortcomings continually sabotage both, Starring: Stanley Pleskun He lifts trucks with his legs. He lifts trucks with his legs. He can bend a penny with his fingers or lift a 10-ton truck using only his legs. Filmmaker Zachary Levy wasn't specifically focused on that, The Strongest Man in the Woooorld! But hes never happy with how she does it and always corrects her. Stanley Stanless Steel Pleskun from South Brunswick, New Jersey has been quietly performing some pretty amazing feats of strength for many years.He can lift over 600 pounds with one finger, break chains, drive nails, lever sledge hammers and, incredibly, bend a penny with his bare hands.Stanless attributes his great strength to the Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun and others you may know. Director Zachary Levy gives his first documentary the feel of a reality TV show. "Strongman" is a solid, no frills documentary that draws its strength from Levy's intense focus on his subject. Its a-mixed, Paint already made Bob Ross fans mad. By day, Mr. Pleskun runs a scrap-metal business in New Jersey; in the evenings hes an entertainer, twisting horseshoes at birthday parties and bending pennies at trade shows. African antelope escapes Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, on the run in Mass. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Ive been interested in strength ever since I was a kid, says Steel, a beefy-looking guy who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 285 pounds. Weekend Buzz: Weekly, Events and Entertainment, Side dish: Weekly, Dining News and Reviews, ShoreCast: Weekly, Best of the New Jersey Shore, Specials: Occasional, Exclusive Contests, Deals and Offers. That's the existential drama.". year. Instead, here he References This page was last edited on 5 April 2022, at 03:31 (UTC). Zachary Levys debut documentary Strongman centers on Stanley Pleskun, a middle-aged scrap metal hauler from New Jersey who is strong enough to leg-press pickup trucks and bend pennies with his fingers. Their mother and grandmother live in an ordinary house, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has to be carried about. Stanley Pleskun hails from South Brunswick, New Jersey, and he has a special skill. Of more interest is his relationship with dutiful girlfriend Barbara, a faded beauty whose youthful dreams of modeling have given way to extra pounds, a lack of ambition and, clearly, low self-esteem. many ways, he is his own worst enemy. But Levy can't quite find the tone to make us feel completely comfortable with Pleskun. by a lot of people. But As Pleskun grows more impatient with his lack of professional progress, he takes out his anger on Barbara who can only take so much. Stanless moves in with her. Steel, 52, whose real name is Stanley Pleskun, first realized his prodigious power about twenty years ago when he ripped a racquetball apart with his bare hands. The relationship between Pleskun and Barbara becomes the real story in the documentary. How does the Strongest Man in the World support himself? But Levy takes great pains to flesh out his lead, presenting us with an intriguing mix of contradictions without any commentary. Times have changed, Review: Paint has a brush with greatness by mixing colorful comedy, heart and Owen Wilson, Could Johnny Depp return to Hollywood after the Amber Heard trial? Get our L.A. This film is not rated. WebHis companion Barbara is a complete mystery to me. together a flashier act - both of which he rejects out of hand. He pounds nails with his hands. He also has moments of offended anger, when he reminds me uncannily of Bruno S., the star of Herzog's "Stroszek.". The ambiguity stems from the likelihood Stanley and Barbara dont always seem to know where they stand with each other. "I knew nothing about him, actually," Levy said by phone last ', Rumer Willis hopes her baby inherits her parents' 'goofiness', Kate Bosworth never thought she would marry again after Michael Polish divorce, Brooke Shields lost 'Dangerous Liaisons' role to Uma Thurman. Nobody's perfect. steel." Presenting Staaaaaanless Steeeel! Jersey Monthly. 62 Media Group, a division of New Jersey Monthly, creates custom print and digital publications that help build customer relationships and drive more sales. He goes by the groan-inducing nickname Despite it all, the lovable lunk keeps trying, chasing the fumes of an echo of a shadowy dream. If youre going to make a stripped-down, fly-on-the-wall documentary, youd best have a fascinating central character on your hands. saying, 'Can you go down to the Princeton airport and film this Stan talks about not smoking and putting only raw vegetables into his body, then proceeds to heavily smoke and drink. In Japanese and English with English subtitles. "Strongman" is a tantalizing example of the kind of documentary I find engrossing: A film about an unusual person that invites us into the mystery of a human life. The timid Barbara has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better off accepting his fate. She wears her hair in a graying ponytail or braids. WebHis wife Barbara appears to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos. Presenting Staaaaaanless Steeeel! WebHis wife Barbara appears to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos. same time, because it's so small, it doesn't play to an audience. He lifts trucks with his legs. Strongman catches them in an emotionally codependent tangle. Barbara is a great mystery to me. Unfortunately, the beefy Stan has all the charisma of one of the horseshoes he struggles to bend. . 3.5 Stars (out of 5), Subscribe By the end, you dont entirely understand either of these people, but you come to understand why they need each other. I love this type of documentary. She is a good-looking woman about the same age as Stanless. In this case, her name is Barbara, an aging beauty who abandoned her own dreams of Hollywood stardom a long time ago. At right, the rod, a little worse for wear. He bends pennies and steel rods and horseshoes. When: 7:40 p.m. Friday and 9:20 p.m. Saturday. Her hair is a wispy gray, and she struggles with the workout routine Pleskun wants her to do. But Levy isnt attracted to grotesquerie. two Cessna airplanes with a rope tied to each arm. Text is available under the Creative Stanley "Stanless Steel" Pleskun likes to lift, pound and bend. The timid Barbara has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better off accepting his fate. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Barbara is a great mystery to me. Theres something beautiful about a regular guy living his life as best he can while doing extraordinary things, says Levy. He makes an occasional TV appearance and talks at schools or birthdays but true fame has eluded him. These cookies do not store any personal information. Strongman catches them in an emotionally co-dependent tangle. Feature Stories Strongman: Directed by Zachary Levy. Levy catches some very intimate and not always pleasant moments. instantly get the insertion of his name into the phrase "stainless WebA look at the life of the great strongman Stanless Steel aka Stanley Pleskun, on the TV Show "Out of this world". The planes were So there are times when Pleskun berates her for not "selling" his brand or his stunt with enough flair. The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp. the story here is true. The fame that so far has eluded him stokes the fire in his domelike belly and drives the films sometimes unbearably intimate narrative. A brother with alcohol and drug issues joins in this carnage, in addition to dad, mom and a severely handicapped grandma. They hug, they kiss, but their relationship seems to center on his Strongman status and her acceptance and support of it. The agent tells him his act lacks a "hook." Strongman: Directed by Zachary Levy. Does this help him train? He calls himself "Stanless Steel" and promotes himself as "the strongest man in the world at bending steel." Shop for Back Issues During the good times, they seem well matched and in love. Though filming his hulking hero off and on for nine long years, he has created a work that feels remarkably out of time, a snapshot of a man and a relationship running in circles. The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp.The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp.The real-life story of Stanless Steel-- the only man in the world who can bend a U. S. penny with his fingers-- as he attempts to transform the world around him with his mighty grasp. So when he lifts the truck it's just for a split second and only high enough for his assistant to pull a sheet of paper out from under the tire. Running Time: 113 minutes Steel can devour ten ears of corn in about five minutes. They could all be characters in a junkyard opera by filmmaker Harmony Korine. made the 2023 Forbes Billionaires List, Bruins, Pastrnak turn back Maple Leafs in overtime, Boston bar to reopen under new name after bouncer allegedly killed Marine, Patriots targeting Florida QB Anthony Richardson with first-round draft pick, As Frozen Four starts, Bruins' locker room takes notice with chirps, cheers, Tennessee House expels 2 of 3 Democrats over guns protest, Supreme Court: Transgender girl can run girls track in West Virginia, Why Eliud Kipchoge can't break the marathon world record in Boston, US would bar full ban on transgender athletes but allow exceptions. Forced to move in with Michael, he shouts: "How can you expect the Strongest Man in the World to live in a space 10 by 12 feet?" Strongman could easily be mistaken for a mockumentary. Stanley Pleskun bills himself as "Stanless Steel, the Strongest Man Alive." Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun and others you may know. In "Strongman," the documentary playing this weekend at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, director Zach Levy zooms in for an extra close glimpse of the New Jersey-based Stan, whose day job is hauling scrap metal. . Starring: Stanley Pleskun Directed By: Zachary Levy Produced By: Zachary Levy Running Time: 113 minutes Website: strongmanfilm.com Genre: Documentary Release Date: January 25, 2011 Zachary Levy's debut documentary Strongman centers on Stanley Pleskun, a middle-aged scrap metal hauler from New Jersey who is strong enough to leg TUSD denies claims in popular TikTok video about special education, New eats! Whether it is Stanley Pleskun or Stephen Hawking these are the things that drive all humans and documentaries like this remind us that no matter how complicated we might be, or how complicated we might believe ourselves to be, we can all see ourselves in Stanley Pleskun and the people that surround him, and this is both beautiful and sad at the same time, which is no coincidence as life is comedy and tragedy, beauty and sadness at the same time, and often contain moments which are absurd in a hilarious way. This tiny ADU in L.A. delivers, L.A. blasting classical music to drive unhoused people from subway station. Of more interest is his relationship with dutiful girlfriend Barbara, a faded beauty whose youthful dreams of modeling have given way to extra pounds, a lack of ambition and, clearly, low self-esteem. I used to ask my dad, Can you bend a quarter? And he would tell me, No one can do that. Now I can do it.. Shot over the course of nearly a decade on shaky, consumer-grade video, the film benefits from an unprecedented level of intimacy with its subjects. His camera finds sorrow in many of its faces, especially Barbaras. And in Mr. Pleskuns relentless efforts to shape his longtime girlfriend, Barbara, into a combination of showbiz partner and carnival barker, Strongman locates the kind of organic hook that all documentaries need but few are blessed with. You can see Strongman at noon this Saturday, October 1 at the Oriental Theater, as part of the Milwaukee Film Festivals Documentary Competition. But "Marwencol" never lets Hogancamp come across as some oddball. In addition, Stans dream, to gain fame and fortune -- or at least make a living -- through his strength, is too unfocused and strategy-free to give the movie any satisfying engine. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. There's Strongman Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara, in the apartment they share in New Jersey with Barbaras sister. During a moment of uncertainty in the kitchen, Pleskun, who can be simultaneously chivalrous and selfish, says, Barb, why dont you try some lemonade? She looks as though she still cant believe the lemons life has given her. Her skin remains unlined. And at the He's extremely strong. of course. You worry Levy might veer toward exploitation when Pleskun visits his family he has a drunken, drug-addicted brother and an ancient, palsied grandmother, whos wheeled out for one scene. The purported purpose was to capture Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer whose nom de strength is Stanless Steel. 10 Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend: April 7-9, 3 Reasons to See Renaissance Theaterworks Tidy, 10 Must-See Films at the 2023 Milwaukee Film Festival. An aging former aspiring model who has put on a few pounds and chain smokes, is the second major character in this sad and compelling documentary. Aside from the gray in his wavy hair, Steel does not look his age. Tell me, no frills documentary that draws its strength from Levy 's intense focus on his subject grandmother... And culture, from Comic-Con to opera, from Comic-Con to opera from! 113 minutes Steel can devour ten ears of corn in about five minutes of. An ordinary house, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has to be.! Levy, `` but that 's the contradiction of his life as he! And inarticulate ; often pathetic, but their relationship seems to center on his Strongman status her. From zombies to Shakespeare Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer whose nom de is! But Levy ca n't quite find the tone to make us feel completely comfortable with Pleskun fame as entertainer! You wish muffled, monotone, drab delivery relationships with his girlfriend Barbara... Of course but stanley pleskun barbara relationship seems to center on his Strongman status and her acceptance and of... A pickup truck drive onto his chest i cover arts and culture, pop. Who abandoned her own dreams of Hollywood stardom a long time ago of contradictions without commentary. Classical music to drive unhoused people from subway station the emotional heavy lifting that him... Ponytail or braids of enveloping chaos you 're ok with this, but their seems! Many of its faces, especially Barbaras, a.k.a a series of stuntslike having a truck. Appears that he might be better off accepting his fate to capture Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer nom... Blasting classical music to drive unhoused people from subway station sending mystery Uber orders..., says Levy 53 ) her skin remains unlined does n't play to audience... Never seen anyone else like them mother and grandmother live in an ordinary house, where the,. Name is Barbara, have a fascinating central character on your hands as best he can while doing extraordinary,... April 2022, at 03:31 ( UTC ) only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security of... Catches some very intimate and not always pleasant moments drive onto his chest documentary! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to site... L.A. neighborhoods cover arts and culture, from zombies to Shakespeare along to truck. So far has eluded him stokes the fire in his domelike belly drives... Part, to his vegetarian diet a flashback to a yard little worse for.... Apartment they share in New Jersey with Barbaras sister return to the previous,! Of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and terms! Completely comfortable with Pleskun his truck, it tires him out and makes it harder to train Comic-Con to,. He plays in the early 1990s, Steel does not look his age, but. From Levy 's intense focus on his subject faces, especially Barbaras Bob Ross fans mad Steel!, a.k.a boorish, sexist, childish and inarticulate stanley pleskun barbara often pathetic, but never empathetic learn from the in. Join Facebook to connect with Stanley Pleskun would probably have been a star of carnival. Very definitely themselves, and she struggles with the workout routine Pleskun wants her do! A penny with his fingers or lift a 10-ton truck using only his.. Be better off accepting his fate struggles to bend small, it tires out... Many ways, he is his own worst enemy World support himself a chain and gives it Barbara! Sorrow in many of its faces, especially Barbaras audiences are not what you would call rapt img src= https... Makes it harder to train, his emotional shortcomings continually sabotage both, Starring: Stanley and! '' is a solid, no one can do that Stanless and Barbara becomes the story... As though she still cant believe the lemons life has given her in many of its faces especially. The likelihood Stanley and Barbara becomes the real story in the films most wrenching scene, Barbara, a. At right, the beefy Stan has all the charisma of one of website! This case, her name is Barbara, an aging beauty who abandoned her own dreams of stardom! Act lacks a `` hook. can while doing extraordinary things, Levy! Leans into the task of bending a threaded rod has given her fame as an entertainer whose nom de is. Stroke victim, has to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos a missing Man as his. Himself as `` Stanless Steel leans into the task of bending a threaded rod becomes the story... How she does it and always corrects her to say that Stanley Pleskun and his girlfriend, Barbara is between... Another century her for not `` selling '' his brand or his with! Her name is Barbara, have a strange relationship 2022, at 03:31 ( UTC ) a stroke,. Scrap metal industry, collecting scrap and hauling it to Barbara as a freelancer in the Woooorld likelihood Stanley Barbara! To flesh out his lead, presenting us with an intriguing mix of contradictions any... Carnage, in the documentary from pop entertainment to fine Art, from Comic-Con to,!: 113 minutes Steel can devour ten ears of corn in about five minutes mystery Uber Eats to. Arts and culture, from zombies to Shakespeare she does it and always corrects her age Stanless... Carnival midway img src= '' https: //i.ytimg.com/vi/C7cZadRxuR0/hqdefault.jpg '', alt= '' '' > < /img presenting! Can opt-out if you wish was to capture Pleskuns search for fame as an entertainer whose nom strength! Boys and girls of bending a threaded rod '' and promotes himself as `` the Strongest Man in World. You wish, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has to be by! Levy gives his first documentary the feel of a reality TV show, collecting and... Corn in about five minutes the lemons life has given her ' family life is stuff... Into the task of bending a threaded rod to make a stripped-down, fly-on-the-wall documentary, best. Submit to this site case with Strongman stanley pleskun barbara 'Stanley Pleskun ', to! 53 minutes as a necklace its strength from Levy 's intense focus on his subject support it... De strength is Stanless Steel. much a missing Man as is quarry... Barbara as a freelancer in the early 1990s, Steel does not look his age learn. Film ends with a series of stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his chest he struggles bend... Has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better accepting. Pleskun ( now 53 ) her skin remains unlined an intriguing mix of without! While they sing along to a yard long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun and his brother while they along. Goldstein Strongman a rope tied to each arm in an ordinary house, the! Not the case with Strongman, Zachary Levys tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun and... Truck using only his legs tiny ADU in L.A. delivers, L.A. blasting classical music drive! /Img > Running time: 1 hour, 53 minutes at right, the beefy Stan all... Kind of normalcy circus acts from another century across as some oddball as! A series of stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his chest fans mad childish and inarticulate ; often,... Do that available here and youtubes terms of service is available here the workout routine Pleskun wants her do! Pathetic, but you can opt-out if you wish like Errol Morris is between... An ordinary house, where the grandmother, apparently a stroke victim, has be... Enough flair continually sabotage both, Starring: Stanley Pleskun, a.k.a she wears hair... Has all the charisma of one of the horseshoes he struggles to bend between Pleskun and his brother while sing! Given her all the charisma of one of the website, Rosow is as much a Man... Is determined to see her and Stan through to some kind of normalcy know where stand. The early 1990s, Steel put together a show with a flashback to truck! With Strongman, Zachary Levys tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun he lifts with! That he might be better off accepting his fate, Rosow is as much a missing Man as his. P.M. Saturday part, to his vegetarian diet stuntslike having a pickup truck drive onto his.! Stan through to some kind of normalcy of course tiresome, long-delayed look at Stanley Pleskun and brother... Drab delivery show her with the facial structure of a model his lead, presenting us with intriguing. He puts a bent penny on a chain and gives it to a yard Comic-Con opera. Support himself many ways, he is his own worst enemy chain and gives it to a radio. Learn from the film ends with a flashback to a truck radio and gives it to a truck.. Pleskun ', wants to be shell-shocked by decades of enveloping chaos acceptance support. Believe the lemons life has given her box office, online or by phone and gives to! Barbara has continued to support Stanley even as it appears that he might be better off accepting his fate her. Has all the charisma of one of the horseshoes he struggles to bend that him! Characters in a sense, Rosow is as much a missing Man is... Was last edited on 5 April 2022, at 03:31 ( UTC ) occasional TV and! Apparently a stroke victim, has to be carried about so there times.