The Ride Ahead
21-year-old wheelchair user Samuel Habib is itching to become an independent member of society, but he lives with a rare genetic mutation that necessitates 24/7 care. Witness how he sets out to manage a world that ignores the needs of Disabled people.
Join Directors Dan and Samuel Habib for a virtual Q&A after the screening.
At both screenings, ASL interpretation services will be provided, Audio Description devices will be available, and the film will be presented with Open Captions.
*Restricted to audiences in WA State.
Samuel Habib is an adventurous, cool, 20-year-old disabled guy who says things like, “Taking risks makes me feel proud, powerful, confident, bold.” He doesn't want much for his adult life, just to “move into my own place, get married, and maybe have kids.” The Ride Ahead documents three years of Samuel’s search for how he can achieve things that feel so daunting for disabled folks; security, independence, and girlfriends. With the help of his father, filmmaker Daniel Habib, Sam outfits his chair with two video cameras, enabling the audience to see Samuel’s actual point-of-view and how people interact with him. Samuel tells his own story, in his own voice, with the assistance of lovely animation by Xilia Faye and Ben Luce. The question of how to live a great life as a disabled badass propels Samuel to interview leading disability activists and advocates Judy Heumann, Bob Williams, Keith Jones, Ali Stroker, Maysoon Zayid, Andrew Peterson, and Lydia X.Y. Brown.
—Heather Marie Bartels
- Director: Dan Habib, Samuel Habib
- Principal Cast: Samuel Habib, Judy Heumann, Ali Stroker, Keith Jones, Maysoon Zayid
- Country: USA
- Year: 2024
- Running Time: 97 min.
- Producer: Dan Habib, Erica Lupinacci, Jim LeBrecht, Sara Bolder
- Cinematographers: Dan Habib, Samuel Habib
- Editors: James Rutenbeck
- Music: Max Avery Lichtenstein, Keith Jones
- Website: Official Film Website
- Filmography: Dan Habib: Who Cares About Kelsey (2012), Intelligent Lives (2018); Samuel Habib: Debut Feature Film
- Language: English