ALISO VIEJO, Calif.,
Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Avanir
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVNR) today announced the initiation
of production of The PBA Film Project (working title), the
first-ever documentary to provide an intimate look at real people
living with a little-known neurologic condition called PseudoBulbar
Affect (PBA). The award-winning filmmaker team of The PBA Film
Project includes co-directors Doug Blush and Lisa Klein (Of Two Minds) and producer
Julian Cautherley (The Crash Reel).
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release,
please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7266955-avanir-pharmaceuticals-pseudobulbar-affect-pba-documentary/
Nearly two million Americans with brain injuries or certain
neurologic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke or
multiple sclerosis (MS) are estimated to suffer from symptoms of
PBA, marked by frequent and uncontrollable outbursts of crying or
laughing. Despite the high prevalence of PBA, PBA diagnosis and
awareness that it's a treatable condition is low.
"As filmmakers, we've always been drawn to human interest
stories that need a microphone, whether to help raise awareness of
an important issue or to inspire people to join a cause," said Doug
Blush and Lisa Klein. "We believe
that audiences will relate to the real people portrayed in this
film as they struggle, triumph and live life to its fullest despite
the obstacles of PBA and their underlying neurologic
conditions."
The PBA Film Project profiles six patients living with
PBA and the following neurologic conditions: stroke, traumatic
brain injury (TBI), MS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well
as their friends, families and caregivers. The documentary is in
production across the country with filming in Virginia Beach, VA; Joplin, MO;
Austin, TX; Banning, CA; Tamaqua, PA and Canton, OH.
"It's inspiring to see how these patients persevere in life
despite a condition that triggers unpredictable laughing or crying
outbursts that can be inappropriate to the situation they are in or
be more intense than the situation calls for," said Julian
Cautherley. "While their neurological conditions and backgrounds
are diverse, their commonality of living with PBA unites them all.
I think this is something the audiences will genuinely rally
behind."
Production for The PBA Film Project commenced in
August 2014 and will be released to
select audiences in 2015. A visually powerful
experience, The PBA Film Project promises to
engage and entertain, with moments of both sadness and humor.
"Avanir Pharmaceuticals is excited to be a part of a project
that will shine a spotlight on PBA and the vast community it
impacts," said Rohan Palekar, chief
commercial officer of Avanir. "Our goal with The PBA Film
Project is to create greater awareness of PBA, let patients
know they are not alone and inspire them to seek help."
For film updates and behind-the-scenes content, visit
pbafilm.com or @PBAinfo.
About PBA
PBA is a neurologic condition characterized
by uncontrollable, disruptive laughing and/or crying outbursts that
are often contrary or exaggerated to the patient's inner mood
state. As a result, many of those afflicted with PBA show
significant impairment on standard measures of health status, and
impairments in occupational and social function, often leading to
social isolation. PBA occurs secondary to a variety of neurologic
conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple sclerosis
(MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's
disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. When these disorders
damage areas of the brain that regulate normal emotional
expression, they can lead to uncontrollable, disruptive episodes of
crying or laughing. For more information about PBA, please
visit www.pbainfo.com and follow @PBAinfo.
About the Filmmakers
Doug Blush and Lisa Klein are award-winning filmmakers whose
work has played at world-renowned film festivals including
Sundance, Toronto and Tribeca. They are the creative
team behind the critically acclaimed feature documentary OF TWO
MINDS (2012), which takes a compelling look at the extraordinary
lives of a few of the more than five million Americans living with
bipolar disorder. OF TWO MINDS is the 2013 winner of many honors,
including the prestigious Prism and Voice Awards, both of which
honor filmmakers for their authentic storytelling of mental illness
and substance abuse issues.
Julian Cautherley is an award-winning director and producer
whose projects have appeared at world-renowned film festivals,
including Sundance, Deauville, Berlin, SXSW and Tribeca. Julian's most recent
film as producer is the award-winning, Emmy-nominated documentary
THE CRASH REEL (2013), which follows the dramatic fall and rise of
snowboarder Kevin Pearce, a
traumatic brain injury survivor. Directed by two-time,
Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Lucy
Walker, THE CRASH REEL, a DGA and Gotham Awards-nominated
film, premiered at the Sundance
film festival and received audience awards at SXSW, among
others.
About Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Avanir
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
bringing innovative medicines to patients with central nervous
system disorders of high unmet medical need. As part of our
commitment, we have extensively invested in our pipeline and are
dedicated to advancing medicines that can substantially improve the
lives of patients and their loved ones.
AVANIR® is a trademark or registered trademark of Avanir
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United
States and other countries.
©2014 Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release,
please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7266955-avanir-pharmaceuticals-pseudobulbar-affect-pba-documentary/
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/through-laughter-and-tears-comes-first-ever-documentary-about-life-with-pseudobulbar-affect-pba-300006752.html
SOURCE Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.