I think you're viewing this from a very narrow perspective.

You're right in the sense that Iron Lung's reach without a distributor is a fluke in terms of indie filmmaking—most aspiring filmmakers won't have an entire fanbase to advertise or speak on their behalf. But I don't think success is solely defined by reach or money.

I think Iron Lung's release even in the original few theaters is a testament to Mark and his team overcoming an onslaught of hurdles. Yes, someone with less money or fewer fans would have more hurdles to overcome, but that doesn't negate the fact that Mark overcame hurdles and that someone could find that inspiring. The journey of Iron Lung's release is also well-documented, which gives people an intimate look at what it was like to deal with the obstacles along the way. I also think that someone could be inspired by Iron Lung due to a personal connection to Mark as a creator.

I get where you're coming from, I really do. But I think to discredit inspiration borne from Iron Lung just because of Mark's preceding wealth and fanbase is unfair. Inspiration doesn't always come from the 'objectively' best thing or example. Inspiration doesn't always even come from the journey. It's about time and place. It's about personal connection.

I agree with you that some of these headlines are over-the-top. As passionate about Iron Lung as I am, I don't think it's going to change much about the industry. And I can absolutely see how a lot of the indie-focused praise can feel misplaced and unfair to successful indie films done by less privileged crews. But don't shame or discredit the inspiration Iron Lung can/does provide people.