For the first time, Saint John’s Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) are collaborating with the Topanga Film Institute (TFI), a division of the Topanga Film Festival, for Neuro-cinema & Beyond, a three-part film series focused on the brain. These three award-winning documentaries emphasize brain functioning in compelling and artistic ways.
“The brain is one of the last frontiers in medicine, and we welcome this collaboration with filmmakers who are pioneering this subject matter through aesthetic visuals,†said Daniel F. Kelly, M.D., director of Saint John’s Brain Tumor Center and Pituitary Disorders Program and faculty member at John Wayne Cancer Institute, who will be speaking at several of the screenings. “We are convinced that this fresh and dynamic approach to brain education will ignite more ‘neuro-cur
iosity’ from the community at large.â€
The series is intended to bridge the art and science communities and create awareness of the brain, cancer and other health conditions. These showings will also help honor filmmakers who have dedicated their lives to making a difference though their work. Physicians, such as Dr. Kelly, will also be given a platform to discuss the conditions focused on in these films and educate the public about their research and work.
“If we understand how our brain functions, we can use that knowledge to reach new frontiers not only with our creativity, but our humanity,†said Urs Baur, founder of the Topanga Film Festival.
Neuro-Cinema & Beyond will kick-off on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 5:00pm at Saint John’s (2121 Santa Monica Blvd.), with a screening of The English Surgeon (http://w
ww.theenglishsurgeon.com).
Post screening Q&A, via Skype, with Emmy-winning Filmmaker Geoffrey Smith and the focus of the film Henry Marsh, MD followed by an in-person Q&A with Saint John’s neurosurgeon Dr. Kelly.
The series kick-off on Jan. 22 is free to the public and aims to raise funds for brain tumor research, new technology and other items for Dr. Kelly’s work at Saint John’s through a silent art auction. Not wanting to leave the young minds out of the loop, Peter Tulaney, owner of the Malibu Art Barn has created a collaborative brain art piece with 4-year olds exploring their perspective of the mind which will be included in the auction along with pieces from several other artists.
“By collaborating with the Topanga Film Institute, we are hoping to reach new audiences and educate more people about their health and the amazing work physicians such as Dr. Kelly are doing in this area,†said Lou Lazatin, CEO and President of Saint John’s and JWCI.
In a further effort to create awareness on a national level, internet video spots called “Neuro.bytes†will be made available via a variety of outlets.
These video shorts include interviews from Los Angeles-area residents, physicians and employees at Saint John’s and JWCI.
Topics will include:
• What is your favorite brain function and why?
• Where does creativity come from?
• What is the most frustrating thing about your brain?
•
For information on both the film series and shorts: http://www.newstjohns.org/neurocinema.aspx.
To RSVP for the January 22, 2012 screening:call 1-800-ST JOHNS.
Future series screenings include:
Marwencol: A documentary by Jeff Malmberg about Mark Hogancamp, a man who is left brain damaged and broke after a vicious attack. Hogancamp seeks recovery in “Marwencol,” a miniature World War II-era town he creates in his backyard. Winner of the South by Southwest Film Festival Grand Jury Award. For more information, go to www.marwencol.com/film.
Jonna’s Body, Please Hold: Director Jonna Tomases’s documentary is part of the TFI’s Beyond series. The dark comedy about cancer ventures inside the crazy world of Jonna’s body where life’s daily chaos is corralled by Pearl, Jonna’s loyal, sassy internal receptionist, as she fields calls from a parade of off-beat body parts with never-ending needs. When two nasty killers invade, it’s a fight for Jonna’s life. The movie’s stunning visuals and hilarious characters take viewers on a wild and sometimes bizarre ride into the realm of health, illness, joy and the beauty of life. Winner of Audience Award at the Ashville Film Festival. For more information, go to www.madlively.com/productions/jonnasbody-movie/
For more information on Saint John’s Health Center:
www.newstjohns.org
For more information on the John Wayne Cancer Institute: www.jwci.org.
For more information on the Topanga Film Festival: www.topangafilmfestival.com.
