About Standout: The Ben Kjar Story
Synopsis
Born with Crouzon Syndrome (a rare facial difference), doctors warned Ben Kjar that his life would be defined by limitations and ridicule. Despite that prognosis, Ben longed for an ordinary life that always felt out of reach. With time, constant bullying and painful surgeries ignited a fire within him. Wrestling became his proving ground, where he transformed difference into strength. But as new challenges arise, Ben must choose: fade into “normal,” or fully embrace his difference and stand out.
Rating
PG
About the Cast and Filmmakers
Ben’s heartfelt story inspires anyone who has ever felt they didn’t fit in.
After spending nearly two decades building a career as a film editor, Tanner Christensen made the jump to the director’s chair with his debut feature documentary, "Standout: The Ben Kjar Story." As an editor, Christensen contributed to a variety of projects, including feature films, commercials, short films, and television productions — most notably the hit Netflix documentary series "Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators."
T.C.’s film work includes 10 IMAX / large format films, hundreds of TV Commercials, and 32 feature-length films including "17 Miracles," "Forever Strong," "The Cokeville Miracle" and "Escape from Germany." In 2010, T.C. was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers.
Jared Hess is an Academy Award nominated filmmaker from Preston, Idaho. His directorial debut "Napoleon Dynamite" premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and went on to become a comedy box office hit. His other films include "Nacho Libre," "Gentlemen Broncos," "Don Verdean," "Masterminds" and the animated feature "Thelma the Unicorn." He also produced and co-directed the hit Netflix documentary series "Murder Among the Mormons" and "Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators." In 2024, Jared and his wife Jerusha were nominated for an Academy Award for their animated short film "Ninety-Five Senses." He recently directed the upcoming "A Minecraft Movie" starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa.
Christian is a multi-talented media composer, moving seamlessly from romantic comedies, "We Love You, Sally Carmichael!" to sci-fi thrillers, "Atomica" and everything in between. Davis beganhis career at Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios, working closely with Rupert Gregson-Williams ("Wonder Woman," "Hacksaw Ridge") on multiple studio feature films and television series. Some of Davis’s solo titles include "Christmas Eve" starring Patrick Stewart, "Invitation to a Murder" starring Mischa Barton and BYUtv’s "Dwight in Shining Armor."