June 26, 2024 – The HBO Original documentary QUAD GODS, directed by Jess Jacklin, debuts WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 (9:00-10:27 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The documentary had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival.

Synopsis:

QUAD GODS is a high-stakes and heart-warming film that follows the lives of three New Yorkers with quadriplegia that meet in a neuro-rehabilitation lab where they create the world’s first-ever, fully quadriplegic e-sports team. As they navigate New York City, confronting challenges at every turn, they pursue their shared dream to compete as athletes while subverting assumptions about disability.

Richard, aka “Breadwinner1007,” Blake, aka “RepNProof,” and Prentice, aka “Mongo Slade,” meet at the Abilities Research Center at Mount Sinai Hospital where Dr. David Putrino, known colloquially as the “Quadfather,” develops innovative solutions for rehabilitation and therapy. Illustrating the promise of new technology, including exoskeleton robotics, adaptive controllers, and brain stimulation techniques, Dr. Putrino uses video game playing to aid recovery, not just by being a fun and supportive outlet, but by teaching the brain to rewire and repair itself. QUAD GODS follows the e-sports players as they compete in the billion-dollar video gaming world while bringing awareness to the potential of the human mind and spirit. The intimate vérité footage captures the men living life in the city as they work, train, foster relationships, and raise children, and is interwoven with striking animation by Tim Fox conveying their hopes and dreams. QUAD GODS is a story of resilience, fortitude, and the power of competition and sportsmanship to restore purpose and community.

Featured Participants:

Richard, aka “Breadwinner1007,” Blake, aka “RepNProof,” Prentice, aka “Mongo Slade,” Sergio, aka “Wiplash247,” Alejandro, aka “Aquadios285,” Nyree, aka “Sittinprettii,” Dr. David Putrino, director of Abilities Research Center, Mount Sinai, New York, Dr. Angela Riccobono, Psychologist Mount Sinai, New York.

Credits:

HBO Documentary Films presents QUAD GODS, a Loki Films Production. Directed by Jess Jacklin; produced by Johnny Fego and Jess Jacklin; executive produced by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady; For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Tina Nguyen.