Film Overview: Fall of the Phoenix

Fall of the Phoenix is an emotionally raw and visually captivating feature-length documentary that delves into the hidden impact of brain injuries, trauma, and the complex process of recovery. Driven by filmmaker Lauren Lindberg’s personal journey, the film explores how traumatic brain injuries—like the multiple concussions sustained by her sister, Hailey—affect not only mental health but also identity and life’s trajectory.

As Lauren embarks on a nationwide quest to understand brain injuries, she unearths her own hidden traumas, including misdiagnosed concussions from her youth. This revelation transforms the film into an intimate exploration of personal healing and human resilience. The story isn’t just about the medical implications of brain injuries—it’s about transformation, survival, and the unseen struggles that shape our inner worlds.

Through a dynamic blend of real-life stories, artistic reenactments, and visually striking vignettes, Fall of the Phoenix takes audiences on a journey into the subconscious, where trauma, healing, and identity intersect in unexpected ways. The documentary weaves together personal and universal experiences, fusing reality with myth to create a deeply moving and transformative narrative.

Changemakers Featured in the Film:

"Fall of the Phoenix" introduces several incredible individuals whose stories speak to the complexity of brain injuries and the systems that often fail to support those in need.

Dr. Grove: Alaska’s Brain Injury Advocate

Dr. Grove is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivor turned specialist who has spent over 20 years treating TBIs in Alaska. He is working to create a mobile “Brain Bus” that will bring awareness and treatment to Alaska’s most remote communities, which often lack access to proper brain injury care. His story highlights the intellectual exploration of TBIs and how awareness can help save lives.

Alex and Mary: A Mother’s Fight for Justice

Mary, a young native woman, suffers from an untreated brain injury after a car accident, compounded by trauma and cPTSD. Her mother, Alex, is fighting a legal battle for her daughter’s care and future. Together, their story sheds light on the devastating emotional trauma that accompanies untreated brain injuries and the systemic failures that lead to misdiagnosis and institutionalization.

Ivette Ruiz: Healing Through Nature

Ivette’s brain injury, sustained during a natural disaster, forced her out of her job as a high-impact social worker, but her journey didn’t end there. She found solace and healing through gardening, and eventually founded “Healing by Growing,” a network of rehabilitative farms where brain injury survivors reconnect with nature. Ivette’s story reminds us that healing is both internal and external, requiring more than just medical treatment.

Markell Taylor: From Incarceration to Justice Advocate

Markell is a Justice League devotee, who was diagnosed with a TBI while incarcerated. Now, he’s advocating for brain injury testing in prisons and is working with neuroscientists like Dr. Kim Gorgens to create a justice-centered approach to brain injury care. His story is one of empowerment through transformation, illustrating how trauma can be channeled into advocacy and reform.

Why Donations Matter:

Your donations are essential in bringing "Fall of the Phoenix" to life. Here’s how every contribution makes an impact:

1. Completing the Production: We are currently in production, having filmed key interviews and vérité scenes. Your donations will help us complete the remaining vignettes and pivotal scenes, ensuring that each story gets the visual and narrative depth it deserves.

2. Post-Production & Visual Effects: One of the most unique aspects of the film is how we blur the lines between reality and the subconscious through visual effects and symbolic reenactments. Your support will enable us to craft stunning sequences that truly reflect the emotional complexity of brain injuries.

3. Expanding Awareness: This isn’t just a film; it’s a movement. By contributing to this project, you are helping to raise awareness about brain injuries and the often unseen challenges faced by survivors. The stories we tell have the power to inspire change on both a personal and systemic level.

4. Educational Outreach & Advocacy: With your donations, we will be able to partner with brain health organizations, schools, and healthcare institutions to share this film far and wide, ensuring it reaches communities that need these stories the most.

5. Breaking the Silence Around Brain Health: Brain injuries are one of the most misunderstood and underreported health issues today. By supporting this film, you are helping to break the silence around brain health, mental health, and trauma, giving survivors a voice and a platform.

Make an Impact Today:

By donating to "Fall of the Phoenix," you are joining a community of changemakers dedicated to shedding light on the invisible effects of brain injuries. Your generosity will help us tell these stories, transform lives, and inspire action on a global scale.