Film Review: STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY
by Karen Pecota

Tanner Christensen, USA 2025

“With no chance to live an ordinary life, he lived an extraordinary one!” This is the line that documentary filmmaker Tanner Christensen uses in the story of inspiration about a boy born with Crouzon syndrome in STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY.

Crouzon syndrome is a rare craniofacial disorder. It’s a congenital deformity that causes the bones around the brain to grow incorrectly. This causes obvious deformities to the cranial structure and the face.

Ben Kjar, the youngest of four children to Stana and Scott Kjar, had their work cut out for them as parents, as their physicians communicated some harsh realities that they would face; but most troubling was to hear that Ben’s life would be plagued with physical limitations and cruel behavior by others that would be lifelong challenges.

As an infant, Ben began a life of surgeries and for those formative years, the Kjar family protected Ben as long as they could by giving him the love and encouragement necessary for a child that looked different and not able to participate in normal physical activity.

Ben learned to accept his disabilities but wanted desperately to play sports and live a life without ridicule. Ben shares a childhood experience that changed his life. Ben was allowed to go to the store alone for the first time, to buy his favorite treats. Standing patiently in line to pay, a man and his two children, in front of him, were checking out. The man turned and gazed upon Ben in horror. He pushed himself and his children away from Ben’s presence, verbally accosted him, as if he had a contagious disease. Ben left the store in a hurry feeling emotionally distraught. He returned home, locked himself in the bathroom, tears flowing from his face, he looked in the mirror, reached for a razor to contemplate a facial recreation of his own. Fortunately, Stana was able to intervene in time and the two spoke openly about the incident.

Stana confirmed to Ben that he would attract attention because he looks different, but it doesn’t need to define him from the inside. She challenged Ben, “Stand out! Use what you have been made for.” At this moment, his story began to unfold in magnificent fashion. Every adversity made him stronger. Ben sincerely embraced his difference to boldly stand out with humility and grace.

Christensen says, “Wrestling became his proving ground, a place where he learned to transform his facial difference into a source of power.” Unattainable goals that once seemed like barriers were broken down where he became a beloved individual, a successful athlete, and found the girl of his dreams.

Christensen adds, “Our hope is that viewers leave the film with a renewed sense of resilience and purpose. Ben’s journey to embrace his unique identity reminds us that our greatest challenges can become our greatest strengths. Through his story, we want audiences to feel empowered to stand out, celebrate their individuality, and recognize their ability to inspire others—no matter the obstacles they face. Ben’s story is about how connection and love can ignite true change in ourselves and others.”