Sundance Video: Roger Ebert’s ‘Life Itself’ Documentary – Urgent, Timely, Emotional

Ebert’s death during shooting did not interrupt the film — if anything, it gave them more encouragement

Chaz Ebert had a sense her husband, iconic film critic Roger Ebert, was taking a turn for the worse when director Steve James showed up at her door primed to make a documentary about him. Ebert had been battling cancer for years, and had long ago lost the ability to speak and eat.

Chaz Ebert was eager for James to begin shooting so he could capture her husband, still full of gusto and wit, before he died.

Also read: TheWrap’s Sundance Film Festival Complete Coverage

His death in the middle of production did not interrupt the film. If anything, it gave them more encouragement. Ebert and James showed up at Sundance this year with the documentary 20 years after Roger Ebert stumbled upon James’ first film, “Hoop Dreams.”

Their first stop? TheWrap’s video lounge.

Watch the videos:


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