4 Fox Focus | In the Spotlight
The Story of Michael J . Fox ’ s Extraordinary Life
By Allison Boiles
“ Some people would view the news of my disease as an ending , but I was starting to sense it was really a beginning .” In Still : A Michael J . Fox Movie , Michael speaks candidly about how he came to see his journey with Parkinson ’ s disease . However , the new Apple TV + film — a recounting of Michael ’ s extraordinary life that debuted in May — is not a documentary about Parkinson ’ s . It ’ s a film about resilience and vulnerability . And how one man navigates life with family , optimism and humor . All the makings of a signature Michael J . Fox movie , but this time , through his own words .
“ As I say , my fans gave me life and I wanted to be open about mine .”
to fame , his Parkinson ’ s diagnosis at 29 , his love for family and his current perspective on the disease . The film benefits from the creative contributions of executive producer Nelle Fortenberry , a member of the Foundation ’ s Board of Directors .
This was the goal of Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim when he set out to direct the film : “ There ’ s an important line that Michael says at the beginning . I ask him : ‘ Is this another sad sack story about a guy who gets an incurable disease ?’ He goes , ‘ No — that ’ d be boring .’ And immediately audiences look at this film differently , look at this man differently . Because he ’ s not going to be put in a box .”
“ I decided to create this documentary for a couple reasons . First , bringing awareness to this disease has been very important to me for years and I wanted to continue that work through film ,” said Michael while speaking to press . “ The second is for my fans . They — along with my family — [ have ] been the reason I have been able to go on . As I say , my fans gave me life and I wanted to be open about mine .”
Using documentary interviews and archival footage , Still explores Michael ’ s meteoric rise
Still : A Michael J . Fox Movie is available on Apple TV +.