Writer-Director Vlad Yudin Spent Months With 7 Contenders
for 'Generation Iron'

Myths abound about the subculture of bodybuilding, a sport that took off with the explosion of the health-and-fitness industry in the 1970s.

Back then, the public knew even less about these extreme and dedicated athletes until the release of a breakthrough docudrama in 1977, "Pumping Iron," produced by Jerome Gary and featuring a champion named Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The film has long fascinated Vlad Yudin, writer, director, producer and principal of The Vladar Co., (vladar.com). He has been busy on multiple film projects this year, but right now his focus is the Sept. 20 release of "Generation Iron," created with "Pumping Iron" producer Gary and narrated by Mickey Rourke.

Yudin spent months with the seven bodybuilders featured in the docudrama as they prepared for the Mr. Olympiad contest. He says he came away with an appreciation of how little the public still knows about the sport and the athletes who so compulsively pursue physical perfection.  For one, many people believe bodybuilding is about size - not true.

"It's about developing symmetry," he says.

Here are four myths he says are rampant in literature about bodybuilders, and why they're not true.

• Myth No. 1: Bodybuilders suffer from "negative body image," or "reverse anorexia." Many observers have written that bodybuilders are driven by an eating disorder known as reverse anorexia: No matter how big they get, when they look in the mirror, they still see a skinny wimp. Not true, says Yudin. "The whole point of this sport is to perfect the physique - the goal is to develop perfect symmetry, not to get as big as you can be. These guys are striving for a perfect score in competition. If they see a weak spot, they're going to work on building that up."

• Myth No. 2. Bodybuilders depend on steroids to achieve results. Steroids do not make champions, Yudin says. Bodybuilding champs are athletes so dedicated to constantly consuming the right nutrients on the right schedule and to working out, it becomes a lifestyle. "People think they're just pumping themselves up with steroids, but bodybuilding is a science that requires effort 100 percent of the time, Yudin says.

• Myth No. 3: Bodybuilders have low self-esteem. For some, this may have been true at one point in their lives, Yudin says. Some experienced bullying; others had acceptance issues. But most now have a healthy, even robust, sense of self-esteem. "You can see it in how they carry themselves. They don't do this because of a lack of confidence," he says. "If they did, they wouldn't be able to go on stage and be judged with such intense scrutiny on their physique. They've put in a lot of work and they know they look good." He gives the example of Phil Heath, one of the seven men featured in his film. Heath grew up as a talented athlete and played basketball for the University of Denver. "He started hitting the gym more to train, and became more interested in bodybuilding than basketball," Yudin says. The two-time Mr. Olympia knew he had talent from the get-go and took advantage of it, he says.

• Myth No. 4: Body builders are socially isolated. They get a rap because they dedicate their life to the gym and their diet, Yudin says. They eat every two to three hours and they're in the gym two to three times a day. You just don't see them out and about very often. "But four of the seven men we featured are married. A fifth lives with the mother of his children, and a sixth got married after we stopped shooting. Their family lives are a big part of the film," Yudin says. While he concedes bodybuilders have to be selfish to a degree in order to maintain their grueling schedule, that doesn't mean they're loners who avoid others.

"Branch Warren is a devoted family man who brings his daughter to competitions," Yudin says. "In the film, you see him carrying his daughter through the back stage."

About Vlad Yudin

Russian-born writer, director, producer Vlad Yudin is the principal of The Vladar Co., a media and entertainment production company. New projects include the ARCANA Comics graphic novel and film "Head Smash," and the bodybuilding docudrama "Generation Iron." A second film, "Catskill Park," a horror movie, is also scheduled for release this year. Yudin is currently working with "Game of Thrones" producer Mark Huffam to adapt the historical fiction novel "The French Executioner" for film. He recently published the graphic novel "Head Smash," which will be adapted for film next year. Yudin directed and produced the critically acclaimed docufilm "Big Pun: The Legacy" (2008), and wrote, directed and produced the dark comedy, "Last Day of Summer," in 2009. Yudin grew up in Russia and New York and is a graduate of Pace University and the New York University Filmmaking Program.

Special Guest Maggie Rose

October 17

iWireless Center

On sale Friday, August 23 at 10 am

Nashville, TN --- Sheryl Crow and Gary Allan will co-headline the Free And Easy tour this fall with a stop at the iWireless Center on Thursday, October 17. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 23 at 10 am.

 

Sheryl Crow and Gary Allan are a can't-miss touring combo and a perfect pairing.  Crow is a nine-time GRAMMY award-winning artist with over 35 million records sold.  Her debut country single "Easy" is off her forth-coming Warner Bros. Records release, Feels Like Home, due out September 10. This marks the first country album of Crow's celebrated career. Allan is a maverick in the mainstream country world.  A surfer whose upbringing in Southern California taught him the art of blending rock and country seamlessly in his live shows.  With five platinum albums under his belt, Allan topped the Billboard Country Album chart as well as the Billboard 200 Pop Album Chart in February with his new album Set You Free.

"Sheryl and I met while doing some guitar pulls earlier this year and started talking about doing something together.  The timing seemed right and 'Free and Easy' just came natural to us both," said Allan.  "If we're near you, come on out.  It's going to be a good time."

"I love Gary's music," said Crow. "He puts on the kind of show that I like to go see so I am thrilled to be out with him on tour, and really look forward to be able to perform my new music to the country fans this fall."

Ticket prices are $35.00, $49.50, and $59.50 with a limited number of $99.00 four-packs also available. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 23 at 10 am and are available at the iWireless Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at800-745-3000, and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.  A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Genesis Health Systems.

About Sheryl Crow:

Since the release of her seven-times Platinum, GRAMMY award-winning debut Tuesday Night Music Club, Sheryl Crow has performed duets with musical luminaries such as Sting and Mick Jagger, released seven studio albums (each charting Top 10, four of them platinum-plus), a quadruple-platinum greatest hits collection and a Christmas album. Her latest album, Feels Like Home, is set to release September 10 on Warner Bros. Records. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tenn. and was produced by GRAMMY award-winner Justin Niebank. She has also been nominated for an additional 27 GRAMMYs, her most recent for 2008's critically acclaimed Detours. Crow is a cancer survivor, has performed for President Obama and is a passionate supporter of a variety of environmental and health-related charities, including the NRDC, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The World Food Program. Crow has sold more than 35 million records worldwide.

About Gary Allan:

With the allure of a modern day outlaw, Gary Allan has won over legions of fans with his signature blend of rugged vocals, rebellious lyrics and raucous live performances.  He has sold over 7 million albums and released five platinum and gold albums in a row including three that topped the Billboard Country Albums Chart, with his latest, SET YOU FREE, also topping the Billboard 200.  Allan has topped the singles charts with five #1 hits at country radio and has nearly a dozen Top 10 hits to his credit.  He has been described as "dark and dreamy" in Entertainment Weekly, "soulful and rough around the edges" in Playboy and deemed a "maverick" by Rolling Stone.  He has sold out venues as a headliner from coast to coast, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Live with Kelly and Michael and Jimmy Kimmel Live and has landed on the covers of Country Weekly, Pollstar and People magazine.  While becoming a force on the country music scene, Allan has remained true to his artistic voice each step of the way.

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Quad Cities remains 5 ½ games behind Cedar Rapids in the Western Division second-half race

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 18, 2013) - Third baseman Rio Ruiz led off the bottom of the ninth inning with the Quad Cities River Bandits' first walk-off home run this season for a 3-2 victory over the Burlington Bees that snapped the home team's five-game losing streak in front of 3,351 at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday night.

Quad Cities (31-23 second half, 69-54 overall) had a 2-1 lead going into the ninth inning, but right-hander Juan Minaya (2-6) allowed a leadoff single by Bees center fielder Chevy Clarke and a one-out single by right fielder Riley Good to put runners at first and third bases. Bees second baseman Wendell Soto then hit a grounder off Minaya's leg that allowed the tying run to score and the potential go-ahead run to reach third base. After Minaya walked third baseman Sherman Johnson to load the bases with one out, shortstop Angel Rosa flied to shallow right field, and Minaya fanned left fielder Exicardo Cayones to preserve the 2-2 tie.

Bees right-hander Alex Blackford (0-2) retired the first three hitters he faced before entering the ninth inning. Ruiz worked a 1-1 count before launching the next pitch to the Built Ford Tough Deck in right field for his 10^th home run of the season. It was the first walk-off home run by a River Bandit since Virgil Hill's two-run walk-off home run against Wisconsin June 17, 2012.

Left-hander Brian Holmes gave the River Bandits their best start in a week, as he limited the Bees (23-32, 49-71) to one unearned run on seven hits through the first 5 1/3 innings. He walked three batters and struck out six. His wild pickoff attempt in the fourth inning after a walk led to a run scoring on Good's infield single.

Quad Cities twice took one-run leads in the game against left-hander Chris O'Grady. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez drew a leadoff walk in the third inning and was picked off of first base but reached second base because shortstop Angel Rosa dropped a throw, allowing Hernandez to reach second base. A fly ball by second baseman Tony Kemp and groundout by shortstop Carlos Correa brought in the game's first run. After the Bees tied the game, 1-1, in the fourth inning, catcher Jobduan Morales hit a two-out home run to put his team ahead, 2-1. The lead remained until the ninth inning, thanks to right-hander Zach Morton coming on to retire all eight batters he faced after taking over from Holmes with a one-run lead and two runners on base with one out in the sixth inning.

Sunday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Monday, Aug. 19. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Monday, Aug. 19.

The River Bandits play the third game of the series against Burlington at 7 p.m. Monday. River Bandits right-hander Mark Appel (1-1) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Pat Lowery (4-7).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will celebrate Modern Woodmen Park's distinction as the country's No. 1 park with $1 night Monday. That means $1 general admission tickets with $1 upgrades, as well as $1 drinks. Plus, 2013 No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel starts on the mound for Quad Cities. The River Bandits' home stand continues through Friday, Aug. 23. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

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Carlos Correa has team-best 15th three-hit game for Quad Cities to raise average to .332

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 17, 2013) - Burlington Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson came within a home run of the cycle , and catcher Zach Wright added three singles for his team's 12 hits, and the visitors used a four-run fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie and send the Quad Cities River Bandits to a fifth straight loss with a 6-4 final Saturday night in front of 5,581 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Johnson led off the game against left-hander Joe Bircher (3-3) with a triple down the left-field line, and Bees shortstop Angel Rosa had the first of his game-high three RBIs on a sacrifice fly that gave Burlington (23-31 second half, 49-70 overall) a 1-0 lead.

The River Bandits (30-23, 68-54) came back to tie it in the bottom of the second inning against left-hander Brandon Love (4-6). Third baseman Rio Ruiz hit a leadoff double to right-center field, and catcher Roberto Pena brought him in with a one-out double to left field. But Love induced consecutive groundouts to keep Quad Cities from taking the lead. Love limited the home team to four hits and one earned run while walking three batters and striking out five in the first five innings.

Bircher got help from 6-4-3, inning-ending double plays each of the first three innings and worked a perfect fourth inning before the Bees' big fifth inning. In a 1-1 tie, second baseman Wendell Soto singled to right field, before Johnson singled, and Rosa hit a two-run double to the left-field wall for a 3-1 Bees lead. After a bunt single by left fielder Exicardo Cayones, Bircher got a groundout and popup before Wright lifted a two-out, two-run single to shallow right field, making it 5-1. Bircher became the fifth straight Quad Cities starter to allow at least four runs, and he yielded 10 hits and one walk in five innings.

The River Bandits rallied against left-hander Eswarlin Jimenez in the seventh inning, as Pena reached on an error by Rosa, and designated hitter Brian Blasik singled to right field. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez grounded out to drive in one run, and shortstop Carlos Correa had his third hit of the night to knock in another and raise his average to .332, which ranks second in the Midwest League. Left fielder Danry Vasquez hit a fly ball to right field that eluded right fielder Julio Concepcion and brought in Correa for a 5-4 deficit, but Jimenez fanned first baseman Bobby Borchering to close the inning.

Burlington added an eighth-inning run against right-hander Jamaine Cotton, when Wright singled and eventually scored on Johnson's sacrifice fly that grew the lead to 6-4. Bees right-hander Jake Boyd got the final six outs for his first save.

The River Bandits play the second game of the series against Burlington at 5 p.m. Sunday. River Bandits left-hander Brian Holmes (4-3) is scheduled to face Bees left-hander Chris O'Grady (1-1).

UP NEXT: Three lucky fans will win new flat screen TVs on Flat Screen Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100. The 5 p.m. game is Happy's Joe's Night, as well as Pirates and Princesses Night with Storybook Princesses at the ballpark. On Faith and Fellowship Night presented by Chick-fil-A and Moody Radio, $2 of each ticket can go to a church or faith community, and River Bandits players will share about their faith after the game. The River Bandits' home stand continues through Friday, Aug. 23. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

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