Darius Goes West

Last updated
Darius Goes West: The Roll of his Life
Darius Goes West FilmPoster.jpeg
Directed byLogan Smalley
Produced byJulia Eisenman
Greg Schenz
Jeff Scheftel (Executive)
Starring Darius Weems
Felicity Huffman
William H. Macy
CinematographyJohn Hadden
Dylan Wilson
Edited byLogan Smalley
Jarrard Cole
Allison Firor
Music byLogan Smalley
Production
company
Roll With Me Productions
Release date
  • February 1, 2007 (2007-02-01)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
Language English
Budget$60,000

Darius Goes West: The Roll of his Life is a documentary film by Logan Smalley about Darius Weems, a teenager living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In the middle of 2005 Weems embarked on a 7,000 mile road trip across the United States from his hometown in Georgia to MTV Headquarters in Los Angeles to ask them to customize his wheelchair on Pimp My Ride , as well to promote awareness of the fatal disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and to raise money for research into a cure. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] ‹The template Excessive citations inline is being considered for deletion.› [ excessive citations ]

Contents

Background

Logan Smalley was a counselor at a 'Project REACH' camp, a facility set up to give the experiences of being at camp to children with disabilities, when he met Darius Weems. He had first met Darius' brother Mario, who was himself suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Mario asked Logan to "look out for my little brother," and Logan took that promise to heart. [7] [9]

After reading a copy of a letter Darius had sent to MTV's show Pimp My Ride in which he asked them to consider refurbishing his wheelchair, Smalley organized a cross-country trip for Darius to Los Angeles, which became known as the Darius Goes West Project. After having previously been to the Cannes Film Festival, Smalley recognized the opportunity and importance of documenting the trip. The 7,000 mile, 25-day trip resulted in 300 hours of video. [9]

According to DVD Talk, "including Weems, over half of the documentary team was under the age of 20, including Smalley's younger brother Ben, 18. The oldest person on the crew was Daniel Epting, 24. The group not only handled the camera and sound equipment, they cared for Weems, helping him with day-to-day tasks like using the bathroom." [10]

The documentary was dedicated to Darius's brother, Mario, who also had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [7] Mario died at age 19 [8] [11] in 1991. [12]

Synopsis

The film revolves around Darius Weems, a teenager with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who, because of his disease, had never left his hometown of Athens, Georgia. In the summer of 2005, with the help of eleven young friends, 15-year-old Darius embarked on a road trip across the United States, with the goal of reaching Los Angeles in the hopes of appearing on MTV's show Pimp My Ride in order that Darius's old and worn-out wheelchair might be customized on the hit show. The group traveled in an RV and tested wheelchair-accessibility across America during the course of their trip. [3] [4] [7] [13]

During the trip, Darius felt the ocean for the first time at Panama City Beach, Florida. The group also made a stop in New Orleans. They celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act in the bat caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and were very impressed by the wheelchair accessibility of the old caves. Darius also got to see the Grand Canyon, his most anticipated site before they had embarked. Darius's favorite stop, however, was Las Vegas. In Temecula, California, he experienced a hot air balloon ride. While in San Diego, Sam and Jason got commemorative tattoos, and the group visited Sea World. Darius also visited the zoo in San Francisco, California.

In the end, Pimp My Ride denied the request for Darius's wheelchair to be "pimped out." But near his hometown of Athens, Georgia, a local car customizing dealer created a new design for Darius's wheelchair, which included a television, speakers, and connection for an iPod. The most symbolic part of the new wheelchair was wheel spinners; this was the one thing Darius wanted most, because they would keep spinning even if he stopped.

After the Documentary

In 2008-2009 Darius and his crew spent an entire year going back on the road visiting middle schools, high schools, and colleges and hosting screenings all over the country. In May–June 2012, Darius took a 32-day "Believe" tour of the northeast, where he performed raps and hosted Q&As at 18 schools. In Maine, Cynthia McFadden and the ABC Nightline crew followed Darius to two schools and devoted an entire show to Darius and his continuing quest to raise awareness of DMD on Thanksgiving of 2012.

Darius turned 23 on September 27, 2012, and wrote a rap about it that he called a tribute to all of his fans. The single, "Thank You For 23," made it to #35 on iTunes in the hip hop genre. On February 16, in honor of his late brother Mario's birthday, Darius released his first album, "My Life In This Chair."

On October 9, 2016, at the age of 27, Darius Weems died due to DMD related complications. [12]

Charley's Fund

All proceeds from the film go to Charley's Fund, named for DMD sufferer Charley Seckler, and set up as a non-profit foundation investing in scientific research to help cure DMD. [6] [11] [13] The filmmakers had originally hoped the film might raise $70,000 for DMD research, but by March 2009 they had raised $1.5 million, [14] and by June 2009 they had raised $2 million. [15] [16]

Cast

Reception

Robert Kohler of Variety wrote "Certain to stir hearts -- as proven by its aud award at the Santa Barbara Fest -- and primed to raise awareness of a debilitating form of muscular dystrophy, Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life lovingly records 15-year-old Darius Weems' odds-defying cross-country U.S. trek. A rare case of an almost purely amateur film that has a solid shot of cablecasts after a certain roll through the fest circuit, pic makes up in authentic feeling what it lacks in documentary skill." [1]

David Cook of The Chattanoogan made note of the compassion shared by the eleven friends toward Darius, writing "Teenage males are so often viewed as unemotional and stoic, as young Rambos in training. But this film highlights the deep love these friends had for each other, and for Darius." Cook also commended the care and consideration of the friends: "Unable to move most of his body, he [Darius] depended on his comrades as they lifted him into bed each night, carried him into the Gulf as he touched the ocean for the first time, sat together on the edge of the Grand Canyon, held on as they wheelchaired down Lombard Street in San Fran, advocated and fought against the lack of wheelchair accessibility in the US, and wept in the face of Darius’s crippling disease and impending death." He praised them further, "They were as graceful and compassionate caregivers as I have ever seen, and if you are looking for role models or hope in dark times, look no farther than this film and these men." [4]

Martin Bashir of ABC News Nightline reported upon meeting Darius at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in 2007 that he felt like he was interviewing his own brother Tommy, who had also been born with DMD: "The shape of his head and torso were identical. The chubby cheeks and sneaky smile were the same. And the endless attempts to shift his bulbous arms, and get comfortable in his wheelchair, were an exact replica of Tommy. But this wasn't my brother. Sadly, Tommy passed away in January 1991. This was Darius Weems from Athens and this is what Duchenne muscular dystrophy does to the body." He called the documentary "remarkable" in how it "records a journey that is full of happiness and heartbreak," and, in recalling his reactions to other documentaries, concluded, "when I watched Darius Goes West something altogether more profound happened. I saw my brother again - and for that alone, I always shall be grateful." [13]

Karen Day of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Thanks to Smalley's editing and Darius' star quality, the documentary and its back story through development and disease make Darius Goes West play more like a hip indie film. Smalley, who also composed and plays the piano soundtrack, and his gang bankrolled the $70,000 film by selling on-screen credits for $10 each and having a hometown barbecue fundraiser." She praised the film by calling it a comical and poignant tale that was equal parts Animal House and Stand by Me . [8]

David Walker of DVD Talk called the documentary "a collective labor of love, put together by a dedicated group of people committed to changing the world," writing that "Film at its best has the power to engage us emotionally and spiritually," and that "that is what makes the documentary Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life not only a great film, but the best film of 2007." He concluded that "the film is an amazing celebration of life" and "one of the most life-affirming films you will ever see." [10]

Recognition

As a Quality of Life 2008 finalist, Darius Weems received a $25,000 Volvo for Life Award, [17] as well as a $15,000 World of Children Founders Youth Award, and a $2,000 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

In May 2009, Darius was selected for $10,000 award from DoSomething.org, [18] and in June, he and the filmmakers were honored at the Do Something Awards celebration held on June 4 at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. [19] Weems has donated all monies to Charley's Fund.

A supporter of the film established the Darius Weems Scholarship in December 2008, to support an incoming freshman at Yale University.

The Athens, Georgia Junior League presented Logan Smalley with the Spirit of Athens Community Service Award.

WXIA-TV presented Logan Smalley with the 11 Alive Community Service Award. Their coverage of the film received an Emmy Award nomination.

Darius Weems and Logan Smalley were invited to speak at the 2009 TED Conference Fellowship. [20]

In April 2009, the Council for Exceptional Children presented Darius Weems with their 2009 Yes I Can Award.

Awards and nominations

As of June 2009, the film had won an unprecedented 28 film festival awards, and at the Tribeca Film Festival it was the only film chosen by Robert De Niro to screen at his children’s school during the festival. Among the awards won at film festivals are:

2007, won Audience Award for Best Feature at AFI Dallas International Film Festival
2007, won Audience Award for Best Feature at Atlanta Film Festival
2007, won Audience Award for Best Documentary at Palm Beach International Film Festival
2007, won Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
2007, won Best Film at Cleveland International Film Festival
2007, won Standing Up Film Competition at Cleveland International Film Festival
2007, won Audience Award for Best Feature at Independent Film Festival of Boston
2007, won Audience Award for Best Feature at Oxford Film Festival
2007, won Best Documentary at Oxford Film Festival
2007, won Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at Jackson Hole Film Festival
2007, won Cowboy Award for Best Documentary at Jackson Hole Film Festival
2007, won Audience Award for Best Documentary at Omaha Film Festival
2007, won Jury Award for Best Documentary at Omaha Film Festival
2007, won Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at Solstice Film Festival
Emmy Award nomination
2008, won Grand Prize at The Christophers student film competition
Won Jury Award for Best Documentary at Real to Reel International Film Festival
Won Audience Choice Award at East Lansing Film Festival
Won Jury Award for Best Documentary at Longbaugh Film Festival
Won Jury Award for Best Feature at Sunscreen Film Festival
Won Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at Sunscreen Film Festival
Won Jury Merit Award at Superfest International Disability Film Festival
Won Audience Choice Award at Berkshire International Film Festival
Won Jury Award for Best Documentary at Sidewalk Film Festival
Won Audience Choice Award at Sidewalk Film Festival
Won Audience Choice Award at Ojai Film Festival
Won Youth Jury Award for Best Documentary at Viewfinders International Film Festival for Youth
Won Runner Up for Best Documentary at BiNational Film Festival
Won Jury Honorable Mention for Best Documentary at Picture This Film Festival

Death

On October 9, 2016, Darius Weems died due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy-related cardiopulmonary failure. Plagued with a persistent cough, Weems was checked into Athens Regional Medical Center by his sister Maroneisha Robinson on Friday, October 7. During his visit, Darius's symptoms quickly worsened, causing him to be transferred to the Medical Center's ICU. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muscular dystrophy</span> Diseases in which skeletal muscle breaks down over time

Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ as to which muscles are primarily affected, the degree of weakness, how fast they worsen, and when symptoms begin. Some types are also associated with problems in other organs.

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. Founded in 1950 by Paul Cohen, who lived with muscular dystrophy, MDA accelerates research, advances care, and works to empower families to live longer and more independent lives. Renowned for its Labor Day Telethon, the annual telecast aired live every Labor Day weekend, with comedian and filmmaker Jerry Lewis as its host and national chairman. Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Milton Berle, Wayne Newton, Norm Crosby, Don Francisco, Tony Orlando, Johnny Carson, Aretha Franklin, Maureen McGovern, Diana Ross, Angela Lansbury and others have supported MDA over the years. The organization's headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dystrophin</span> Rod-shaped cytoplasmic protein

Dystrophin is a rod-shaped cytoplasmic protein, and a vital part of a protein complex that connects the cytoskeleton of a muscle fiber to the surrounding extracellular matrix through the cell membrane. This complex is variously known as the costamere or the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC). Many muscle proteins, such as α-dystrobrevin, syncoilin, synemin, sarcoglycan, dystroglycan, and sarcospan, colocalize with dystrophin at the costamere. It has a molecular weight of 427 kDa

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duchenne muscular dystrophy</span> Type of muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe type of muscular dystrophy predominantly affecting boys. The onset of muscle weakness typically begins around age four, with rapid progression. Initially, muscle loss occurs in the thighs and pelvis, extending to the arms, which can lead to difficulties in standing up. By the age of 12, most individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are unable to walk. Affected muscles may appear larger due to an increase in fat content, and scoliosis is common. Some individuals may experience intellectual disability, and females carrying a single copy of the mutated gene may show mild symptoms.

Moonrise is a 2003 book written by Penny Wolfson. The full name refers to her family and her son, Ansel, who struggled throughout life with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The book was based on an article the author wrote for The Atlantic in 2001, which received a national magazine award.

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. is a medical research and drug development company with corporate offices and research facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Incorporated in 1980 as AntiVirals, shortly before going public the company changed its name from AntiVirals to AVI BioPharma soon with stock symbol AVII and in July 2012 changed name from AVI BioPharma to Sarepta Therapeutics and SRPT respectively. As of 2023, the company has four approved drugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarke Central High School</span> Public high school in Athens, Georgia

Clarke Central High School (CCHS) is located in Athens, Georgia, United States. In 1970, Clarke County schools were desegregated, and the high school for black children, Burney-Harris High School, and the high school for white children, Athens High, merged to establish Clarke Central. Classes in the newly formed school began in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kay Davies</span> British geneticist and anatomist; educator

Dame Kay Elizabeth Davies is a British geneticist. She is Dr Lee's Professor of Anatomy at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. She is director of the Medical Research Council (MRC) functional genetics unit, a governor of the Wellcome Trust, a director of the Oxford Centre for Gene Function, and a patron and Senior Member of Oxford University Scientific Society. Her research group has an international reputation for work on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the 1980s, she developed a test which allowed for the screening of foetuses whose mothers have a high risk of carrying DMD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike McCullough (Canadian football)</span> Former CFL football player

Mike McCullough is a former Canadian football linebacker who played ten seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). McCullough was drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2003 CFL Draft, after playing his college football at St. Francis Xavier University.

Wayne Joseph Keeley is an American practicing attorney, author, professor, producer and director. He has produced, written, and directed documentaries, commercials and educational programs, in addition to screenplays, stage plays, and teleplays.

The Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) is an annual film festival that takes place in Dallas, Texas. The 2024 edition was held April 25-May 2, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eteplirsen</span> Medication

Eteplirsen is a medication to treat, but not cure, some types of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by a specific mutation. Eteplirsen only targets specific mutations and can be used to treat about 14% of DMD cases. Eteplirsen is a form of antisense therapy.

Nikki Fox is an English broadcaster, presenter and documentary maker. She is a Sony Award-winning journalist who presents for television and network radio. Fox appeared on various TV and Radio shows including Watchdog, The One Show, How to Look Good Naked, and Rip-Off Britain. She is one of the first female disabled TV presenters in the world and has been voted one of the most influential disabled people in the UK.

Sunil Pradhan is an Indian neurologist, medical researcher and writer, known for the invention of two electrophysiological techniques. He has also described five medical signs, of which one related to Duchenne muscular dystrophy is known as Pradhan Sign, and the others associated with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and similar neuro diseases. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, in 2014 for his contributions to the field of neuroscience.

The goal of physical and occupational therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy is to obtain a clear understanding of the individual, of their social circumstances and of their environment in order to develop a treatment plan that will improve their quality of life. Individuals with DMD often experience difficulties in areas of self-care, productivity and leisure. This is related to the effects of the disorder, such as decreased mobility; decreased strength and postural stability; progressive deterioration of upper-limb function; and contractures. Occupational and physical therapists address an individual's limitations using meaningful occupations and by grading the activity, by using different assessments and resources such as splinting, bracing, manual muscle testing (MMT), ROM, postural intervention and equipment prescription.

Jesse's Journey is a Canadian charity focused on funding research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Founded in 1994 and named for Jesse Davidson, Jesse's Journey is based out of London, Ontario, with a satellite office in Montreal, Quebec. Jesse's Journey is the only Canadian charity that solely exists to fund research into Duchenne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Gardner-Medwin</span> British neurologist who worked in Newcastle upon Tyne

David Gardner-Medwin was a British physician who worked as a paediatric neurologist in Newcastle upon Tyne, serving as the only neurologist for children for a population of 3.5 million. He is credited with introducing multidisciplinary care to the management of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). When he retired at the age of 60, four consultants were appointed to replace him.

Toshifumi (Toshi) Yokota is a biomedical scientist and professor of medical genetics at the University of Alberta, also holding the titles of the Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada Endowed Research Chair and the Henri M. Toupin Chair in Neurological Science. Known for pioneering research in antisense therapy for muscular dystrophy that led to the development of an FDA-approved drug viltolarsen, research interests encompass precision medicine for muscular dystrophy and genetic diseases. Publications exceed 100 refereed papers and patents, with contributions as co-editor to three books in the Methods in Molecular Biology series from Humana Press, Springer-Nature, Roles include fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, a member of the editorial boards for numerous journals, a member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee of Muscular Dystrophy Canada, chief scientific officer of OligomicsTx, and a co-founder of the Canadian Neuromuscular Network (CAN-NMD).

Frederick Sachs was an American biologist. He was a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the University at Buffalo's Department of Physiology and Biophysics.

Stephen Donald Wilton, also known as Steve Wilton, is an Australian molecular biologist and academic, serving as the Foundation Professor of Molecular Therapy at Murdoch University and adjunct professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA). He also fulfills dual roles as a Director at the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science and deputy director at Murdoch's Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (CMMIT).

References

  1. 1 2 Kohler, Robert (February 20, 2007). "review: Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life". Variety . Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  2. ↑ Hambree, Larry (September 28, 2007). "Darius Goes West goes for Oscar nomination". Columbia Star . pp. 1 & 2. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  3. 1 2 Walker, David (19 March 2008). "review: Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life". Indie Film Journal. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 Cook, David (25 November 2008). "Darius Goes West And Roy Exum - And Response". The Chattanoogan . chattanoogan.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  5. ↑ Bashir, Martin (May 1, 2007). "Update: 'Darius' Call'". ABC News . abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  6. 1 2 Phillips, Julie (July 21, 2007). "Smalley brothers and mother committed to 'Darius Goes West,' its star and its cause". Athens Banner-Herald . onlineathens.com. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Rasmussan, Tracy (July 22, 2007). "The ride of a lifetime". Reading Eagle . Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 Day, Karen (August 29, 2007). "On a hero's quest". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  9. 1 2 Schmidt, Dana (January 10, 2006). "Darius project inspires disabled, documentary". The Red and Black . redandblack.com. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  10. 1 2 Walker, David (January 2, 2008). "review". DVD Talk . dvdtalk.com. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  11. 1 2 Plasse, Sabina Dana (January 22, 2010). "Facebook challenge offers $1 million for research". Idaho Mountain Express . mtexpress.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  12. 1 2 "Disability Rights Activist Dies of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy". ABC News . 2016-10-11.
  13. 1 2 3 Bashir, Martin (February 18, 2007). "Bashir: 'Darius Goes West' gives man glimpse of brother". Athens Banner-Herald . onlineathens.com. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  14. ↑ Larin, Lindsay (March 6, 2009). "Taking steps towards a cure for DMD". Bellevue Reporter . pnwlocalnews.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  15. ↑ <nowiki>
  16. ↑ </nowiki>
  17. ↑ "Darius Weems wins $25,000 for fund". Athens Banner-Herald . onlineathens.com. January 15, 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  18. ↑ Gusby, Kim (20 May 2009). "Darius Weems Gains More Support in the Fight Against DMD". WSAV-TV . www2.wsav.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  19. ↑ Smith, LaToya M. (June 9, 2009). "Young Activists Honored At Apollo Theatre". Black Enterprise . blackenterprise.com. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  20. ↑ Myers, Jack (February 10, 2009). "TED Conference 2009: Inspiration and an Uplifting Spirit of Hope for Future Generations". Huffington Post . Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  21. ↑ Weems, Darius (October 9, 2016). "Rest In Peace, Darius Weems". Darius Goes West. dariusgoeswest.com. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.