Three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons lived a life surrounded by people who loved him, but ultimately died from a heart attack and drugs. The Park City Films series presents a documentary about his life and struggle with mental health issues and drug addiction on Thursday. Melissa Allison has more:
Andy Irons rags to riches story started with him and his brother Bruce surfing every day at Pine Trees in Kona, Hawaii and it wasn’t until he was 18 years old that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The National Institute of Mental Illness describes bipolar disorder as, causing, “…unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.” These can lasts for weeks at a time up to months at a time.
Irons health was further complicated with drug use – leading to his death at 32, leaving behind his wife, parents and brother.
The Park City Film Series is showing a screening of the documentary, “https://vimeo.com/ondemand/andyironskissedbygod">Andy Irons: Kissed By God” in partnership with Connect Summit County at the Park City Library on Thursday.
Park City Film Series Director Katy Wang said this is not your typical high-adrenaline sports film.
“This is a film about mental health and opioid addiction, told through the life story of three time world champion surfer Andy Irons," Wang said. "The sad thing is in many ways his story is not unique. 6.1 million people live with bipolar disorder as Andy did. And of the 20 million people who have substance abuse issues, 50 percent of those people also have an underlying mental health issue. So, mental health and substance abuse are sadly related. But really we’re trying to present this film to destigmatize the conversation about mental health and make it easier for people to get the help they need so that their stories don’t have to end the way Andy’s did.”
Park City Stand Up Paddleboarding is also helping to underwrite the film and will have one-wheel demos before the show, as well as an opportunity to win a customized inflatable paddle board.
The events are normally free but because this is a new film, they’re charging $15 per ticket.
Connect Summit County Executive Director Shauna Weist said they topic was too good to pass up.
“It’s not a fundraiser for Connect Summit County," Weist said. "In fact, when Katy and I first talked about this collaboration I went to the Connect board and we purchased 30 tickets to give away free of charge and those went away within two hours. So usually yes, our events are free and open to the public but we felt this was such an important event that we wanted to proceed.”
The proceeds are being used to pay for the film which is not rated. Both ladies said discretion should be exercised before bringing your children to see the film.
Wang recommended having tissue available since she found the film very moving.
“It’s fairly explicit about his drug use and all that entailed – kind of the life of a pro surfer, for better or worse," Wang said. "But its such a powerful film, it brings you to tears just to see how much he was loved by his family, his friends, his whole community in Hawaii. And just how, his life didn’t have to end the way that it did. Hopefully by getting this story out there, it can help other people. That was certainly his hope, it’s certainly the film directors hope. You can check out the trailer - parkcityfilmseries.org. We have tickets for purchasw4e online or certainly at the door.”
Weist said though the film is about a world champion surfer – his story will make you think about someone you know.
“Unfortunately 60 percent of adults who have mental illness do not seek treatment and we want the people of this community to know that services are available," Weist said. "We will be debuting our new mental health resource directory database that evening. And we will help navigate people to the services they need and that’s what I really want to impress is that, people are going to see this film and they’re going to think about someone in their family, a loved one or a friend and I want them to know that services are available.”
The film begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Jim Santy auditorium.
I’m Melissa Allison, KPCW News.