FILMMAKERS from Stratford went straight to the A-list for their latest production – which features Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Matt Bell and Scott Jessop have spent two years following the UK’s strongest man, Eddie Hall, as he worked towards the World’s Strongest Man competition in Malaysia.
The documentary ‘Eddie Strongman’ follows Eddie from trips to the supermarket to enjoying his children’s birthday parties, through to the prestigious Arnold’s Strongman Classic bodybuilding competition – hosted and organised by the ‘Terminator’ turned politician – in Columbus, Ohio.
It was here the former Stratford College media students captured the moment Eddie broke the world deadlift record by lifting over 460 kilograms from standing, with three time Mr Universe champion Arnie cheering him on.
Matt is a presenter for the UK’s Strongest Man programme and the 35 year-old was inspired to follow Eddie on his bid to be crowned the world’s strongest.
He enlisted the help of 33 year-old Scott – the pair having known each other since teenagers – to join the production team who would capture as much of the larger-than-life Eddie in competition, training and at home.
Icelandic strongman Hafthor Bjornsson – who plays The Mountain in Game of Thrones – also features in the documentary, as does former shot-putter and world’s strongest man winner Geoff Capes.
Scott said: “I didn’t realise how many strongmen greats like The Mountain and Geoff Capes we would meet let alone Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Strongmen make body builders look small so as regular guys we were dwarfed. Eddie even made Arnold look small in comparison.
“We even filmed him on a plane to show just how big he is – it was a tight squeeze.
“These massive guys look intimidating but they were all so down to earth and great to get along with. Eddie’s nickname is The Beast but he is just a normal guy, albeit a big one.”
Eddie came fourth in the world competition.
The documentary ‘Eddie Strongman’ can be bought online at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/eddiestrongman.
