Fremantle have acquired the international distribution rights for Sisters Interrupted, an epilepsy-themed feature documentary which reveals the hidden world of epilepsy.
The doc follows British sisters Chelsea and Tamsin Leyland as they both battle forms of epilepsy and together fight for access to a treatment that could save both their lives. Chelsea lives in New York and has gained access to medical cannabis against her neurologist’s recommendations, resulting in her being seizure-free for three years.
Across the Atlantic in the UK, her sister Tamsin often suffers 100 seizures a day and is resistant to every medication she has tried. She knows time is running out as she remains unable to access this innovative treatment through the UK health system.
The doc will get its UK premiere at Raindance Film Festival on Weds 1 Nov.
About the film:
This is the story of British sisters Chelsea and Tamsin Leyland who both battle different forms of epilepsy, a life-threatening seizure condition that affects 50 million people worldwide.
Chelsea lives in New York and is being treated with medical cannabis, against her original neurologists’ recommendations, resulting in her being seizure free for three years. Unconstrained by the devastating side effects of the traditional medication, Chelsea lives a rich and active life travelling the world as a professional DJ.
Across the Atlantic, her sister Tamsin has lived a lifetime with a much more severe version of epilepsy and lives in full-time care, often suffering 100 seizures a day. She is resistant to every medication she has tried. The sisters share the same genetic marker, so Chelsea is desperate for Tamsin to access the same treatment. But fighting to get her doctors to prescribe medical cannabis is proving a massive struggle, battling against a health system entrenched in bureaucracy.
As Tamsin’s health deteriorates, Chelsea takes us into her world as an activist, campaigning on behalf of her sister and everyone who could benefit from access to medical cannabis. Filmed over three years, we witness the incredible love within one family and their determination to give epilepsy a voice and raise awareness of this alternative and potentially life-saving treatment. With time running out, Chelsea is determined to help her sister – fiercely battling against all odds.
A heart-wrenching and extraordinary family story of love, sisterhood and living with a life-threatening condition An eye-opening insight into a deeply stigmatised condition giving a voice to the enormous and under-represented epilepsy community of over 50 million people a crusade to raise awareness of the benefits of medical cannabis by sharing one sister’s profound and life-changing experience using this treatment Exposes the brutal and sometimes devastating side effects of epilepsy medication and the desperate need for medicine to branch out and advance.
An all-female produced and directed documentary.
About the team:
SOPHIE DANIEL:
A London-based film producer currently working at Docsville Studios. She is also a producer on the Rainbow Warrior documentary.
CAROLINE SHARP:
A director and producer who has been making short films and documentaries for the last few years. Coming from a background in neuroscience (MSc at UCL and work in Alzheimer’s research), she has a particular focus on science and mental health-related projects and in the use of film to destigmatise conditions such as epilepsy.
CHELSEA LEYLAND:
A DJ, medical cannabis, epilepsy and endometriosis activist. She is also the founder of a menstrual health and wellness company, living in Brooklyn NY.
From Docsville Studios, producers of our forthcoming Rainbow Warrior film, Docsville is the brainchild of award-winning journalist and former editor of the BBC’s Storyville Nick Fraser and renowned producer Lawrence Elman.
Chelsea has launched a massive media campaign to discuss her activism and the making of this film.
Caters to a huge appetite amongst the general public to know more about medical cannabis – as demonstrated by Chelsea’s social following but also huge celebrity endorsement from Kim Kardashian to Jennifer Aniston
Part of the #facingepilepsy campaign on Instagram, designed to ignite a global conversation about living with epilepsy.
“It’s in your head but nobody knows it’s there. Like a demon that can strike you down from nowhere in a second…it’s a short circuiting in the brain. An electrical interruption. It’s 50 million people worldwide and no cure. It’s my sister’s life.”
– Chelsea Leyland
The Raindance Film Festival 2023 runs from 25th October – November 4th 2023. For info and tickets, please go to:
