I Am Breathing
Director: Emma Davie, Morag McKinnon
Rating: 4/5
I Am Breathing started out as a film where Neil Platt tried to raise awareness about the debilitating condition Motor Neurone Disease. As well as putting together something for his young son to remember him by
But since then the film has captured the hearts of audiences on the festival circuit and it has become one of the most powerful documentaries you will see this year.
Neil Platt ponders the last months of his life. Within a year, he goes from being a healthy young father to becoming completely paralysed from the neck down. As his body gets weaker, his perspective on life changes.
Knowing he only has a few months left to live, and while he still has the ability to speak, Neil puts together a letter and memory box for his baby son.
This is a personal and intimate portrayal of a man who wanted to share his experiences as he came towards the end of his life and leave something behind for his son.
This film looks at what it means to be alive as well as looking tacking death head on.
I Am Breathing is emotional, powerful and Frank and yet it is littered with black humour as Neil's personality and strength really shines through.
He faces his destiny head on and with a real dignity that you cannot help but admire and be totally moved by.
The end of the film will knock you for six and really leave you totally stunned.
Directors Emma Davie and Morag McKinnon have not tried to make a movie that puts a gloss on a death from motor neurone disease; instead it is a film that is real and frank.
This is a movie that is sobering and yet incredibly brave and you will not see anything as powerful as this for the rest of the year.
I Am Breathing will be screened at the Edinburgh Film Festival for a second time on Sunday 23rd June.