BWW Interviews: TRIAL BY FIRE: LIVES REFORGED with John Capanna

John Capanna is one of the seven people profiled in Trial by Fire: Lives Reforged, a film that will be shown at the Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, Pennsylvania. The annual Black Bear Film Festival will be held from Friday, October 18th through Sunday, October 20th.

Trial by Fire: Lives Reforged will be shown on Sunday, October 20th at 2:00 in "The Salon" at the Milford Public Library. It chronicles the inspirational and surprising journeys of seven burn survivors before and after the harrowing accidents that forever changed their lives. The film takes you on the journeys of ordinary people who rise above their injuries to discover unexpected insights and a transformed worldview. Capanna will introduce the film at the festival and provide a question and answer period for guests.

The film is produced and directed by Megan Smith-Harris. She conceived the documentary after reading a magazine article on burn survivors in an airport lounge. The subject gripped her heart and has not let go for two and a half years. Trial by Fire: Lives Reforged has already had an impressive group of screenings including the Dr. Oz Show, New York City screenings, in towns across America, and at the Sedona Film Festival in Sedona, Arizona and the Global Peace Film Festival in Orlando, Florida.

At age 20, John Capanna had just been promoted in his profession. Summoned to an oil refinery to disassemble an old water pipe, he discovered that the bolts were too rusted to pry open so he used an acetylene torch to burn them off. The pipe had been mislabeled and instead of water, it contained crude oil. The ensuing explosion had the impact of eight sticks of dynamite. Capanna, covered in burning crude oil, was hurled against a steel beam and thrown to the ground. He never lost consciousness.

The last rites were administered to seven times. Excruciating treatments and 75 surgeries saved his life, but John was left with the legacy of drug dependency. In the movie, John shares his odyssey of addiction and recovery, how he overcame drug addiction, married twice, fathered four children and became a proud grandfather. He talks candidly about his descent into drug dependency - a common occurrence for burn survivors - and his unusual road to recovery and personal happiness through wood-carving. John now says, "The accident, the fire, the drugs, the recovery-it's all been a tragic gift."

This "tragic gift" is one that Capanna deals with every day. At age 51, he now lives in Albrightsville Pennsylvania. He is well aware that others notice his physical appearance. "I am acutely aware that people look at me because of my scars and it's completely normal for them to do so. You don't see many burn survivors. I don't want people to be afraid of me." He further stated, "I would like the public to know that burn survivors are no different than anyone else while we may look different.

He said about the Black Bear Film Festival, "Based on my past experience in Milford, I expect a very warm reception at the showing." Capanna's family has been very supportive and excited about his participation in the film. Capanna welcomed the opportunity to tell his story in the movie and hopes that it will help other burn victims.

John Capanna is looking forward to his future also hopes that his participation in Trial by Fire: Lives Reforged and the exposure from the film build a platform for his upcoming endeavors including a biographical account of his life. He wants people to learn from his story and find the strength to conquer their own difficulties.

TRIAL BY FIRE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit production with a sustaining educational outreach to help survivors heal, raise burn awareness and promote fire prevention. Tax deductible donations can be made through The Center for Independent Documentary.

For more information on the Trial by Fire: Lives Reforged visit their web site at www.trialbyfiredoc.com. For more information on the Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, Pennsylvania, visit their web site at www.blackbearfilm.com.

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