Obstacles from cancer to cheating scandals, idol status and falls from grace are just some of the obstacles that have plagued Lance Armstrong's career and will serve as a draw to 'The Program' – the new Lance Armstrong documentary that will shed light on the controversial cyclist.
Starring Chris O’Dowd as journalist David Walsh and Ben Foster as Lance Armstrong, the biopic will focus on the relentless pursuit of the truth behind one of the world's most recognizable athletes. Armstrong's inspiring story of beating cancer and winning the Tour De France seven times came to a crashing halt when he was exposed for his use of performance enhancing drugs.
The dramatic film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Stephen Frears, is one in a series of dramatizations of modern and relevant controversies such as 'The Social Network' that seek to go behind the scenes and immortalize heavily publicized events through a medium that extends beyond the news media to a wider audience.
Celebrity Cyclist Documentaries
The Lance Armstrong Documentary Explores His Controversial Career
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity Documentary Dramatizations - Exploiting controversies surrounding famous people by turning them into dramatized documentaries creates opportunities for the film industry to reach a wider audience.
2. Anti-hero Stories - Portraying flawed characters and their downfall in films creates opportunities for a different type of storytelling that allows audiences to explore complex characters and issues.
3. Athlete Controversies Portrayal - Highlighting athletes and their controversies in documentaries allows audiences to learn more about the darker side of sports and the pressures that come with athletic success.
Industry Implications
1. Film Industry - Dramatizing celebrity controversies in documentaries creates opportunities for the film industry to reach a wider, more engaged audience.
2. Documentary Filmmaking Industry - Exploring complex and controversial figures like Lance Armstrong in documentaries creates opportunities for the documentary filmmaking industry to provide nuanced, thought-provoking content to audiences.
3. Sports Media Industry - Portraying controversial athletes like Lance Armstrong in documentaries can create opportunities for the sports media industry to explore the pressures and issues surrounding athletic success and behavior.