A MENTAL HEALTH DOCUMENTARY LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Fall of the Phoenix invites you down the rabbit hole of the human mind. This 90-minute documentary comes to life through the intimate, dreamlike lens of filmmaker Lauren Lindberg. What begins as an investigation into her sister’s concussions spirals into something deeper: a personal reckoning with her own misdiagnosed brain injuries—and a national journey into a hidden epidemic.

Lauren's unfolding awareness becomes a portal into the lives of survivors across the country. Together, they reveal how traumatic brain injury (TBI) hides in plain sight—intertwined with misclassifications, gender violence, incarceration, homelessness, and suicide.

Through cinematic vignettes, imaginative visuals, and deeply human stories, Fall of the Phoenix moves from icy Alaskan roads to locker-lined high school hallways, from ethereal healing gardens to a jail-turned-research site rewriting national policy. This isn’t just a film about brain injury—it’s an invitation into justice, dignity, and the magic within us all to rise from the ashes.

Watch the Teaser here

WHY THIS FILM

Every 9 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury. More than half go undiagnosed. And for women, Indigenous communities, and incarcerated individuals, the risks are even more dire.

But this film doesn’t just name the crisis—it reimagines what’s possible:

• Expanding access to trauma-informed neurocare in prisons, shelters, and underserved communities
   
• Introducing holistic, community-rooted healing tools grounded in ecology, culture, and creativity
   
• Empowering survivors to lead change as advocates, artists, and leaders

At its core, Fall of the Phoenix is a mythic, modern journey of transformation: of breaking down, breaking through, and rising—individually and collectively.

WHO’S 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 Mortenson: A Mother’s Fight for Justice

When Mary, a young Native Alaskan woman, suffers from an untreated brain injury after a car accident, compounded by trauma and cPTSD, her mother, Alex, embarks on a relentless 10 year journey for care and justice. 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.

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.

Dr. Kim Gorgens: The Wonderwoman of Brain Science

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.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Fall of the Phoenix is more than a film. It’s a movement, and you’re invited! 

We’re building:

• A platform for survivors to share their stories and reclaim their narratives
   
• Imaginative tools and resources for awareness and recovery
   
• Workshops, screenings, and story circles in jails, hospitals, schools, and communities
   
• Collaborations with justice- and health-driven organizations worldwide
   

Be part of the change. All donations are tax-deductible through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, From the Heart Productions.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

“If it wasn’t for this film, I never would’ve realized I had brain injuries silently shaping my life. Awareness brought healing. And healing changed everything.”
— Lauren Lindberg

Lauren Lindberg is an award-winning director and producer whose work merges visual beauty with deep emotional truth. Her films (Independence in Sight, Echoes of Exxon, We Are The Land) have won accolades such as best documentary and audience favorite at San Francisco International, Frameline, Santa Fe, and Toronto. A Jefferson Award honoree and ASC Heritage Award winner, she’s led creative for national docuseries (Hard Reset, Your Brain on Money), brand campaigns, and justice-driven storytelling across the U.S.

DONATE

​​​​Help us bring this film—and its movement—to the world. All donations are tax deductible!