A film by Garth Stein

Garth documents his 28-year-old sister’s decision to undergo brain surgery to control her epilepsy. This film chronicles the events, from Corey and her family’s discussions prior to the surgery, through the surgical procedure itself (a cranial resection to locate and remove the epileptic focus), to Corey’s post-operative recovery. The making of the video–which involved Corey as well as her mother, father, and younger brother (behind the camera)–became a means for the family to express and deal with their hopes and fears regarding the surgery.

“…appealing…the talented artist comes across as a spunky, interesting person whom viewers care about…” — Booklist

“…it’s obvious that Garth’s project is really the family’s…. This is the polar opposite of that notorious hallmark in domestic cinema verite, An American Family; here, intimacy is kept within a family that seems to bond more closely as a crisis approaches.” — The Los Angeles Times

Garth and Corey

DVD cover