Bigger, Stronger, Faster
Director Chris Bell's new documentary takes us inside the steroid controversy
by Devin Pratt | photos courtesy Magnolia Pictures
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It's no surprise that anabolic steroids have been at
the forefront of controversy over the past few years. After all, some say the
drugs have ruined professional sports and continue to pose a threat to America's
youth. But is it possible that there could be a flip side to the argument?
Director Chris Bell dares to ask that very question in his new documentary Bigger,
Stronger, Faster.
MF: Bigger, Stronger, Faster doesn't conclude that
steroids are evil or dangerous, which is how the media generally portrays the
performance-enhancing drugs. What is your personal opinion about them?
Chris Bell: I don't think it's good to rely on drugs for anything, whether
it's for performance or the way you look or anything else for that matter. But
we do find that testosterone and human growth hormones have health benefits as
far as possibly prolonging our lives or giving us a better quality of life in
general. But I don't think they should be allowed in sports because we have to
adhere to the fact of fair play. But the problem with fair play is that they
don't have a test for human-growth hormone—that's what makes the issue so
complex. You want to say don't do it. But when there's no test for it, why
would anyone not do it?
Pro bodybuilder Gregg Valentino. Photo courtesy Magnolia Pictures.
You interviewed everyone from Gregg Valentino (the guy
with the world's largest arms) to top Washington legislators for this film. Who
surprised you most?
I was most surprised by Henry Waxman [chairman of the House
Oversight and Government Reform Committee]. I went to his office to ask him
about the congressional hearings that he held on steroid use. He couldn't
answer a single question on the topic without asking his assistant. That
fascinates me how the people making the laws sometimes don't know what they're
talking about—that's tough to swallow.
Do you think guys who use steroids have a skewed
self-image?
There's a real body dysmorphic problem in America. Guys want
to get ripped and have six-pack abs. I was always a power-lifter but I live in
L.A. where everybody is shredded, so it's somewhat of a body image thing for
me. I asked myself, 'Should I use steroids to get there?' But it was always a
moral issue for me since steroids are illegal.
You've admitted to using steroids but decided it wasn't
something you wanted to continue taking. Do you think there's a chance you'll
use them again as you get older?
One of the reasons I did this film was to make people aware
that we need more research into these drugs. As far as for myself, I would use
them if they were medically-prescribed to me by a doctor. If I start sagging
and feeling sluggish then absolutely—it would be just like taking Viagra or
any other quality-of-life drug. I don't see any problem with that.
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