Brainstorm Media has acquired North American rights to James Redford’s documentary Resilience.
The film explores adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and the effects of toxic stress on children. Researchers have recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood. Toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, no segment of society is immune.
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The KPJR Films documentary was produced by Karen Pritzker.
Resilience is making its world premiere Jan. 22 at the Sundance Film Festival that was founded by Redford’s father, Robert Redford.
Brainstorm Media simultaneously picked up Resilence’s companion film and predecessor, Paper Tigers, for DVD and Digital release in North America.
Resilience chronicles the dawn of a movement determined to fight back. Trailblazers in pediatrics, education and social welfare are using cutting-edge science and field-tested therapies to protect children from the insidious effects of toxic stress. KPJR Films was determined to find out why children who experience adverse stress are at serious risk of shorter lifespans. The company, led by Pritzker and James Redford, decided to produce two complementary documentaries to cover this vast and troubling terrain. Paper Tigers explores a novel approach to educating teens whose brains and bodies have been ravaged by stress. Resilience looks at innovative approaches to supporting families and children at greatest risk of harm. Together, both films shed light on a path toward better awareness, understanding and hope.
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“Resilience is personally affecting and inspiring,” Brainstorm’s Meyer Shwarzstein said. “Its positive messages will give educators, parents and policymaker’s tools to deal with issues thought to be impossible to solve. We can’t wait to work with Jamie and Karen to help get this must-see movie the audience it deserves.”
Added James Redford: “We’re thrilled that Brainstorm Media will be distributing both Paper Tigers and Resilience. Brainstorm has been distributing programming across multiple platforms for two decades. Their vast experience will serve us well as we work to reach diverse audiences with critical messages. Both of our films look at the biological risks of stressful childhoods and the science of hope that can offer real solutions.”
The deal was negotiated by Shwarzstein and Bruce Eisen for Brainstorm and Peter Broderick and Chris Perez for KPJR Films.
