UNREST

Jennifer Brea is an active Harvard PhD student about to marry the love of her life when suddenly her body starts failing her. Hoping to shed light on her strange symptoms, Jennifer grabs a camera and films the darkest moments unfolding before her eyes as she is derailed by M.E. (commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), a mysterious illness some still believe is “all in your head.”

In this story of love and loss, newlyweds Jennifer and Omar search for answers as they face unexpected obstacles with great heart. Often confined by her illness to the private space of her bed, Jen is moved to connect with others around the globe. Utilizing Skype, she unlocks a forgotten community with intimate portraits of four other families suffering similarly.

Jennifer Brea’s wonderfully honest portrayal asks us to rethink the stigma around an illness that affects millions of people. Unrest is a vulnerable and eloquent personal documentary that is sure to hit closer to home than many could imagine.

2017 / 97 min
Official Website

Directed & Produced by Jennifer Brea

Produced by Lindsey Dryden, Patricia E. Gillespie, and Alysa Nahmias

Executive Producers: Deborah Hoffmann, Ruth Ann Harnisch, Ian Darling, Dan Cogan, Regina K. Scully, Lynda Weinman, Lisa Gunn, and Donna Fairman Wilson
A Shella Films and Little by Little Films Production in Association with Impact Partners and Chicken & Egg Pictures

Distributed by Netflix and PBS Independent Lens

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Awards & Festivals

Emmy nomination - 2019 Outstanding Documentary Editing
Sundance - 2017 Special Jury Award
Sheffield Doc/Fest - Illuminate Award
CPH Dox - European Premiere
South by Southwest - Official Selection