[yasr_overall_rating]
On one day, in one city, the world comes together to grant one 5 year old cancer patient his wish. “Batkid Begins” looks at the ‘why’ of this flash phenomenon.
Five year old Miles Scott is the driving force behind the collaboration between the Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation and social media. In the process of granting Miles’ wish to be the real Batman, the Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation became a rolling stone that gathers every piece of moss in its path. This documentary demonstrates the power of social media in conjunction with the outpouring of exemplary skill sets and a totally selfless rally of support from local and international citizens from all walks of life.
After a lump is discovered in 18-month old Miles’ jaw, his parents begin a whirlwind of testing that eventually leads to a diagnosis of leukemia, a life-threatening illness. When his parents learn that he is eligible to be granted a wish, they make a decision to wait until he becomes a little older so he will be better equipped to express what he wants. When Miles develops a fondness for Batman pajamas at the age of four, it grows progressively into a love of all things Batman, and his wish to become the real Batman is relayed to Patricia Wilson, the Executive Director of Bay Area Make-A-Wish. Patricia who had access to several resources, contacted Eric Johnson (E.J.) a former stuntman who was hand-picked to be Batkid’s protégé. While Patricia’s idea originally was to involve about 250 people, the number grew by leaps and bounds through the power of social media and humanity. Before long, companies like Apple, Twitter and Lamborghini had executives lending their professional expertise as well as staff to turn the streets of San Francisco into “Gotham City.”
Throughout the entire project, a concern for the physical and emotional impact to the family was always at the forefront. Miles’ parents had a few qualms about the enormity of the situation, yet they remained cooperative and upbeat in support of their son. This, in itself, was vital to the process and served as the beacon of hope that kept everyone grounded. When the final launch date arrived, the project had grown to encompass several thousand willing hearts and souls who wanted to be a part of this great fulfillment of Miles wish. The film’s director, Dana Nachman, deserves major kudos for brilliantly working with everyone in this process in order to express the raw emotion tied to a kid who just wanted to be a kid, and a City of Gotham that couldn’t sleep until one child’s wish to be Batman, was granted.
In theaters July 10th
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