- Welcome to Independent Lens.
I'm Pete Schwaba,
host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut.
Parkinson's disease affects over 1 million people in America.
Tonight's film gives us a sneak peek
into the lives of people
who suffer from this incurable disease
that causes sudden, uncontrollable movements
in the body.
Tonight's film is Matter of Mind: My Parkinson's.
The film focuses on three people as they navigate their lives
with resourcefulness and determination
in the face of this degerative illness.
Juan Solano owns his own business
and is trying to regain control over his body through surgery.
Veronica Garcia-Hayes is a boxing trainer and mother.
She relies on the Sweet Science
to help soothe the tremors throughout her body.
And Peter Dunlap-Shohl creates political cartoons.
Dunlop-Shohl has relied on medication
as well as surgery to combat the disease.
The filmmakers probably lifted Dunlop-Shohl's spirits
by weaving some of his artwork and illustrations into the story
for added texture.
Matter of Mind: My Parkinson's
is directed by Anna Moot-Levin and Laura Green.
Anna Moot-Levin says she was inspired to make the film
due to someone in her family dealing with a chronic illness.
San Francisco-based Laura Green is a highly-regarded
and award-winning documentarian as well.
Her film The Providers appeared on Independent Lens in 2019
and was viewed by almost 3 million people.
Moot-Levin says she and Green wanted to show
just how difficult it is to live with Parkinson's,
not just for those with the actual disease,
but for their caregivers as well.
Tonight's film is the second part
of what will ultimately be a collection of three.
The first, having dealt with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease,
also aired on PBS.
The third film will explore Alzheimer's disease.
Tonight, these two talented filmmakers introduce us
to three people and those who care for them.
Matter of Mind: My Parkinson's
is a story of heartbreak and inspiration,
and it starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.