Movies: 'Murderball'

The documentary "Murderball" -- which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival and arrives in Washington theaters July 22 -- follows members of the U.S. Paralympic Rugby Team as they prepare to play in Athens against their rival, the Canadian team. While providing a window into the intense, occasionally violent sport of wheelchair rugby, the film also lets viewers into the lives of several players who learned to overcome nearly debilitating injuries.

Mark Zupan is one of those players and a central figure in the film. Join him online Friday, July 22 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the film, what it was like to have his life documented on film and the no-holds-barred sport of wheelchair rugby.

The transcript follows.

____________________

Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C.:

Wow -- How are you guys able to maneuver in these chairs and not fall out? From what I've seen, you guys beat the crap out of each other! You also seem to have a lot more mobility than a lot of people we're used to (aka Christopher Reeve). How are quads who are less able-bodied than you able to contribute to the game?

Mark Zupan: We are strapped into our chairs. That's why we don't fall out. The reason we're different than Christopher Reeve is I broke my neck lower than he did. If you look at the point-fives, they have less function than I would. So, I mean, Christopher Reeve was the poster boy of quadriplegics.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Hi there. I saw the film earlier this month because I won tickets on DC-101. Do you guys ever play here in the DC area? I'd really like to come see you guys play! Hope this gives the sport some exposure. Watching you play was awesome.

Mark Zupan: Do we play in D.C.? I don't think we're going to end up playing in D.C. anytime soon. We may be in D.C. to meet with the vets again, but I'm not sure when.

Go to quadfather.net, or quadrugby.com and you can find the schedule of where we'll be, if we're going to be close to the Northeast. And thank you for hoping it will expose the sport more.

_______________________

Quad or Para?: Both reviews I have read of this documentary refer to the athletes as quadriplegics, yet they all appear to be propelling their wheelchairs with their arms. The athletes are actually paraplegics, then, correct? Quadriplegics are paralyzed from the neck down.

Mark Zupan: The definition of quadriplegic means impairment in all four limbs, it does not mean no mobility or no function or a complete paralysis in all four limbs. So, no we are not paraplegics, hence the name quad rugby.

The posterboy is Chrsopher Reeve so that's what you're used to seeing as quadriplegic. But Christopher Reev broke his neck at C-1, C-2, therefore complete paralysis. The further down in your neck that you break, the more function you have.

_______________________

Philadelphia, Pa.: Greetings from the city that cheers hometown hero A.J. Nanayakkara. What is it like competing against A.J., and what does the film help tell about people beyond the rugby-playing court?

Mark Zupan: I don't know if I've ever played against A.J.

The film tells people that we're normal. Just because you're in a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't function as a normal individual.

_______________________

Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.: I'm very excited to see this movie and have heard great things about it. Is there anyone on your team who uses a motorized wheelchair or are only manuals allowed? Also, I'm wondering how and when you became interested in rugby, especially since it is not a hugely popular sport in the United States. Thanks!

Mark Zupan: No motorized chairs, all manual. For motorized, there's power soccer.

I became interested in rugby a month after I was hurt. I played college soccer and high school football.

_______________________

Annapolis, Md.: Do you have songs that go through your head when playing? If so, what would the soundtrack to the game of "Murderball" consist of? What types of music and artists?

Mark Zupan: There is a soundtrack already. It's on Commotion Records.

Go in stores and buy it today. Sorry, shameless plug.

Sometimes to push longer distances, I put tamer stuff on like Modest Mouse, Built to Spill or some Jack Johnson. Then if you're getting ready, it would be Tool, Ministry, old-school Metallica, Corrosion of Conformity, Seven Dust, and I'll stop at that because I could just keep listing and listing.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hey Zupan,

Welcome back to D.C. -- I saw you guys at the AFI event in Silver Spring. Glad to see that the media is still supportive of this awesome story/sport question for ya: how many quad rugby players/teams are there currently in the US, and have there been any studies tracking (new) neck/spinal injuries to these players?

Mark Zupan: I think right now there are 30-something teams in the U.S. and around 500 players. I don't know if there are studies but I don't know of anyone who's hurt their neck again playing. We're not that fragile. My neck is probably stronger now than it was when I got hurt.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: When you first made this movie, did you have any idea that it was going to get the press it did? And, in that vein, can you believe it?!

Mark Zupan: I didn't make the movie, I was just the subject in the movie. Did I think it was going to get this much press? No, this is crazy. It's been more than crazy.

_______________________

USA USA USA!: LOVED your movie, dude. Just curious whether you pay for your own chairs and equipment when you compete for Paralympics? And also, has any quad rugby player ever been seriously injured while playing?

Mark Zupan: I do pay for my own chair. And please refer to the previous response for your second question.

_______________________

Annapolis, Md.:

Hi, Mark. So excited you're doing this chat -- I saw "Murderball" back in January at Sundance and just loved it. Can't wait to see it again! What's new with the team since filming ended?

Mark Zupan: Thank you for the continued support. Glad you enjoyed it at Sundance. Tell everyone you know to go see it.

We're sending two developmental teams to Brazil. And tryout for world championships is Nov. 1.

_______________________

Harrisburg, Pa.: A friend of mine is female and plays rugby. Are there any female wheelchair rugby players?

Mark Zupan: Yes, there are. Females are a little smarter than males, though, so they don't get hurt as often. Meaning they don't break their necks. Guys are usually dumber than girls when it comes to stuff like that.

_______________________

20th & M, Washington, D.C.: Did you feel you were portrayed in an accurate manner in the movie? I'm always curious about real life subjects of documentaries and how they feel about how other people see them. What about your rivalry with Joe Soares? Is that real and on-going, or was it the director manipulating events to make a more interesting movie?

Mark Zupan: Yes, it was an accurate portrayal. Nothing was manipulated. I haven't liked Joe since '96 so the directors didn't manipulate anything.

_______________________

Downtown Washington, D.C.: Were you afraid having a camera crew filming you all the time would affect your game? Did it?

Mark Zupan: No, because that's what we were there for is to play. So they knew that. They knew when we didn't want to be filmed. I didn't like to be filmed right before playing because I had stuff to take care of.

_______________________

Washington, D.C. : What's your individual training regimen outside of team practices (or should I just go see the movie, which I'm planning to do)?

Mark Zupan: Well, yes, you should go see the movie. I work a 50-hour week job and I spend 10 to 15 hours per week in the gym just lifting weights.

And 10 hours a week in my chair doing endurance stuff, along with practice.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: First, congratulations on having your sport and your story recognized in the flim. I've been looking forward to seeing it this weekend for weeks! Having spent almost a year in a wheelchair myself about 20 years ago, I am moved by the stories of others who have excelled in spite of physical challeneges.

Now the question ... With your face and body plastered all over the ads for "Murderball," how do you feel about becoming the object of lust and desire by millions of people you may never know, including women, girls, and gay men?

Mark Zupan: Women, girls and gay men? Wow, where the f--- did that one come from?

There's nothing I can do about it. If you want to lust over this ugly man, go ahead. Fine by me.

It's just odd. It's really odd.

_______________________

Gaithersburg, MD: Hi Mark,

If your life were to be portrayed on film, what actor would you choose to portray your life?

Mark Zupan: I have no idea. I've gotten that question before. What actor would I like to portray my life ... I don't believe we're even talking about this, what actor would portray my life.

There's been talk about Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, and what have you.

_______________________

Annapolis, Md.: What provides your aggressive drive when playing "Murderball"?

Mark Zupan: Why am I so aggressive, or what helps to fuel it?

I'd say I'm aggressive just by nature, I'm very competitive. You want to win, so wanting to win gives you that drive.

_______________________

Washington, DC: Do you see yourself as a role model for others with spine injuries?

Mark Zupan: If people want to view me as a role model. I'm just here showing there are other things in life to do than sit there and ponder over your injury. There's a whole other world out there. Have fun with it.

If I'm viewed as a role model, that's fine. If I'm not, it doesn't bother me any.

_______________________

Annapolis, MD: How old are you?

Mark Zupan: I am a beaming 12-years-old.

No, I'm 30.

_______________________

Wilmington, Del.: I recently just saw "Murderball" and I was amazed -- it was so frank and real, just amazing! I'm sure you are just on this high right now, which is so cool, but do you know of any quad rugby leagues that play around the country? I'd love to go watch some games!

Mark Zupan: Go to quadrugby.com or quadfather.net. There should be schedules up there and people you can contact. And you can go to fearthesteer.com. That's my Texas team's Web site.

_______________________

Bentonville, AR: I admire your athleticism and I admire your spirit. You are not drowned in self pity. My question is this: Could you overcome the angst and dislike for the guy who defected to coach the Canandian team even if it meant that you guys would return to the pinnacle of quad rugby?

Mark Zupan: No, I wouldn't play if he coached my team. He's not, so I don't have to worry about that.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Just have to say that I am really looking forward to seeing the movie. I have worked/volunteered with people with disabilities (mental and physical) and lots of "regular" folks often talk about how awkward and uncomfortable they feel around people with disabilities. Hopefully this movie will demonstrate that impaired people are not to be feared -- unless they're flying at you with a rugby ball!! Thanks so much!!

Mark Zupan: You're welcome.

_______________________

Washington, DC: How well did you get to know the filmmakers during the shooting? Did you interact with them, or were they pretty much outsiders to you the entire time?

Mark Zupan: They're three of my good friends now. You can't not get to know them if you spend two and a half years with them.

I got along with Dana really well in the beginning and that helped them get the access. I got to know Henry a lot later.

_______________________

Tallahassee, Fla.: How did you break your neck? And how old were you? "Murderball" is now in my Netflix queue.

Mark Zupan: I was 18 and I got thrown out of the back of a pick-up truck. And spent 14 hours in a canal hanging onto a branch until somebody found me.

For more information, go see "Murderball" in theaters.

_______________________

Mark Zupan: Thanks for your questions. Keep them coming, we'll do our best to answer them (quadfather.net). Given the time, I'll try my best to get back to you. And go see the movie.

Thanks.

_______________________

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.