Bozeman Magazine

Eduardo Garcia, the inspirational subject of the award-winning documentary “Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story,” will answer questions following a screening of the film at 7 p.m. Monday, March 5,  in Montana State University’s Strand Union Building Ballroom A. Garcia will be joined by Jennifer Jane, who plays a pivotal role in the film.

 

The screening and Q&A are free and open to the public, although advance tickets are required. While tickets are free if ordered online, over the phone or at Rosauers, a $2.50 convenience fee per ticket will be charged. Tickets picked up in person at the Bobcat Ticket Office or Ask Us Desk will not incur any additional charges. There is a four ticket limit per person. Tickets will be available at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.

 

The film chronicles the journey of Garcia, a chef to celebrities and outdoorsman whose life nearly ended in 2011 when he was shocked by 2,400 volts of electricity after touching the carcass of a dead bear with the tip of his knife while hiking in the backcountry of Paradise Valley. Garcia lost his hand, ribs and muscle mass and was airlifted to a burn center in Utah. Through sheer resilience, and with the help of his former partner, Jennifer Jane, Garcia gained back his health only to learn that he had another battle, this one with cancer. The film recounts Garcia’s learning to embrace his past, his family and his future.

 

Other MSU connections in the film include director and cinematographer Phillip Baribeau, who is a graduate of the MSU School of Film and Photography in the College of Arts and Architecture, and Dennis Aig, a professor in the school who produced the documentary. Aig, Jane and others who worked on the film will attend an open-to-all reception after the screening.

 

“Charged” was featured on the opening night of the Santa Barbara Film Festival and won the audience choice award at the 2017 Woods Hole Film Festival. It was also selected to the DocFest in San Francisco, where it was chosen as the best feature. It is also the best international documentary at Puerto Rico’s Enfoque festival and an official selection for the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and the Greenwich Film Festival.

 

Raised in southwestern Montana, Garcia is an athlete, motivational speaker and entrepreneur who co-founded Montana Mex, a Mexican food company. After his accident, Garcia has rebuilt his life and career. He is now known worldwide as the ‘Bionic Chef.’ Garcia is also the host of the TV show “A Hungry Life,” as well as an athlete and spokesperson for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. He lives in Gallatin Gateway.

 

“This inspirational film will leave viewers with a revitalized perspective on their own lives,” said Ben Manion, a student associate of the MSU Leadership Institute who is majoring in film. “His fight for survival along with his outlook on the value of life gives me all the more reason to be grateful for what I have in my own life.”

 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m. There is free parking in all MSU SB, E or F lots after 6 p.m.

 

Presented by the MSU Leadership Institute, the screening and Garcia’s appearance is sponsored by the Office of the President, Office of the Provost and the Associated Students of Montana State University.