DARK RIDER

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DARK RIDER

By Eva KÜPPER

Documentary - Completed 2021

Together with race champion Kevin Magee, Australian blind motorcycle rider Ben Felten pursues his childhood
dream of becoming a professional racer and sets out to
break the world record.

- Year of production
- 2021
- Genres
- Documentary, Road movie
- Countries
- BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- 0.3 - 0.6 M$
- Duration
- 90 mn
- Director(s)
- Eva KÜPPER
- Writer(s)
- Eva KÜPPER
- Cast
- Ben FELTEN, Kevin MAGEE
- Producer(s)
- Ellen DE WAELE (SERENDIPITY FILMS), Elisa HEENE (SERENDIPITY FILMS)
- Synopsis
- As a teenager, Australian Ben Felten (52) was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that left him fully blind by his mid-thirties. Despite years of hardship and the enormous risks, Ben is determined to pursue his childhood dream of racing motorcycles at the highest level.
  
  Ever since a Scotsman set a blind land speed record in 2013, Ben has had his heart set on breaking the record and becoming the world’s fastest blind man. Realizing he can’t do it alone, he has asked the legendary former grand prix champion Kevin Magee
  (57) for help.
  
  In honor of his mother who had just passed away and spent her entire life volunteering for the blind, Kevin joined Ben’s adventure without a second thought. Together they embark on a cathartic, emotional, spine-chilling journey to the scorching salt plains of Lake Gairdner, where they attempt to break the record during a mad racing event called Speed Week.
  Kevin guides Ben through the dark with his voice and
  tries to keep him out of harm’s way as they ride nearly 300 kilometers an hour. During their intense journey, Ben and Kevin’s paths cross that of thirteen-year-old Jed who is struggling to find his way in life as he suffers from a similar eye condition to Ben. Moved by the bright boy’s story and spirit, Ben and Kevin hatch a plan to help Jed find confidence and hope again for the
  future.
  
  For three years, we closely follow their intertwined journeys and growing friendship as they confront the
  great challenges ahead.