Man on a Wire
On August 7th, 1974, French street performer Philippe Petit crossed an illegally rigged tightrope wire strung between the just completed Twin Towers, 1,350 feet above ground. Man on a Wire tells the story of what went into pulling off one of the riskiest art-crimes of last century. It won the audience award for world documentary at Sundance this year and opens July 25th in NYC.
Director James Marsh says about the film:
“I saw it as a way to enjoy an adventure story, and to observe a group of people who broke through barriers, and wanted to create something beautiful. It is reckless and romantic. That was one of its appeals to me as a filmmaker. It has real joy to it. Other work I have done is not nearly as joyful or funny as this film. I think that is one reason why so far there has been a good response to it. It is very thrilling and joyful, but also subversive. It is against the law, what they do, but not wicked or mean. It shows the best of what people can do if they dream big.”
