The Alzheimer Code
Unraveling the Alzheimer's Enigma: One Film, Countless Stories, Infinite Hope.
Project type: Nonfiction Feature
Project status: Production
Director: Marcus Vetter
Director: Sol Tryon
Producer: Erik Felderhof
Producer: Ulf Meyer
Email: hello@originalbear.media
Website: originalbearentertainment.com/thealzheimercode
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Logline
The Alzheimer Code, a groundbreaking documentary, that follows the filmmaker’s journey into the heart-wrenching world of Alzheimer’s disease, unveiling untold personal stories, scientific revelations, and the quest for a multi-faceted cure. As the lens captures the resilience of those affected and the innovative Bredesen Protocol, the film becomes a beacon of hope, challenging conventions and redefining the narrative surrounding Alzheimer’s research.
Synopsis
The Alzheimer Code is a powerful documentary that takes audiences on an emotional and enlightening exploration into the intricate tapestry of Alzheimer’s disease. Through the lens of two empathetic filmmakers, the film unfolds the poignant stories of individuals grappling with the relentless progression of Alzheimer’s and their caregivers facing the cruel realities of this debilitating ailment.
Against the backdrop of staggering statistics—6.2 million patients in the U.S. alone, expected to double by 2050—the documentary delves into the exhaustive efforts of scientists in search of a pharmaceutical cure. At the heart of the narrative is Dr. Dale Bredesen, a neurologist who challenges conventional wisdom by advocating for a multi-faceted approach to Alzheimer’s treatment. His groundbreaking “Bredesen Protocol,” aiming to address the disease from various angles, faces stiff opposition from pharmaceutical interests.
The narrative expands beyond the scientific realm, addressing the 2021 FDA approval of Aducanumab, a drug laden with controversy, and the 2022 scandal involving falsified studies by neurologist Sylvain Lesné. The film scrutinizes the intricate web of corruption, misdirected investments, and the lack of progress in the conventional pharmaceutical approach to Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer Code doesn’t stop at exposing the challenges—it aims to inspire action. The film advocates for a united front against Alzheimer’s, fostering community engagement through targeted screenings, educational initiatives, and a comprehensive impact campaign. By spotlighting the current state of Alzheimer’s research and presenting alternative treatments, the documentary aims to become a catalyst for change, challenging preconceptions and offering a beacon of hope for a future without the shadows of Alzheimer’s disease.
Meet the Filmmakers
Marcus Vetter — Director
Marcus Vetter (born 1967) graduated in Economics (1991) and Media Theory and Practice (1994). Since 1994 he has
been working as a TV editor, producer and director at ARD/SWR in Baden-Baden and Stuttgart.
His films have received attention at national and international film festivals and won numerous prizes, including three Adolf Grimme Awards – the German equivalent of the Emmy, and the German Film Prize – the German equivalent of the Oscar. Marcus‘ work first came to the attention of an international audience with his 1999 film The Tunnel, a docu-drama about a legendary escape tunnel in Berlin. The film received the Grimme Prize, the German TV Award and a Special Mention at the Prix Europa.
He went on to make numerous films including The Battle for Brukman, about rebellious seamstresses in Argentina, My Father the Turk, a film about the encounter with his Turkish father that won the Golden Gate Award in San Francisco. He has gone on to make Heart of Jenin (BRD 2008, 90min), Cinema Jenin – The Story of a Dream (BRD 2011, 90min), The Court (BRD 2012, 90min), The Forecaster (BRD/USA 2015, 100min) and the film The Promise/Killing For Love (BRD/USA 2017, 130min) which theatrically released in October 2016 and has been one of the best rated documentaries at the BBC.
His latest film The Forum about Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum in Davos was broadcasted in over 15 European countries.
Sol Tryon — Director
Sol Tryon is an American filmmaker and storyteller. He began his career in New York City in the late 90’s and produced his first feature, Bomb The System, in 2003, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best first feature. He has since produced numerous award-winning films, including Weapons, Explicit Ills, Starlet, 2012: Time for Change, Monogamish, and Weed The People.
His latest films include: Land of Dreams – Venice Film Festival 2021, Tribeca Film Festival 2022; Amerikatsi – Jury Award for Best Narrative Film and Best Cinematography at the Woodstock Film Festival,
Audience Award at FilmFest Hamburg; In the Eye of the Storm – a six part documentary series about the political odyssey of Yanis Varoufakis, which premiered at Hot Docs in 2022.
Sol’s directorial debut, The Living Wake (Jesse Eisenberg, Mike O’Connell, Jim Gaffigan and Ann Dowd), received critical praise and numerous awards from top festivals as well as a theatrical release across the US and abroad.
In 2020 Sol co-founded Palodeon Pictures with his wife Rebecca Comerford. They currently live in Ojai, California with their two children. Sol aspires to create stories that shine a light on the issues facing humanity and foster conversation towards how we perceive, and thus create, the world we live in.
Erik Felderhof — Producer
Erik is an award-winning producer and best known as the creator and executive producer of the intimate reality series The Journey: a music make-over show (2023) and for executive producing the award-winning KCET (PBS) interview series The Way Out with Jurriaan Kamp (2019) which is famous for reporting on groundbreaking climate solutions and it is renowned guest line-up. Other notable recent producer credits include the exhilarating boxing documentary Téofilo (2023) about the remarkable life of the three-time World and Olympic boxing Champion Teófilo Stevenson.
Ulf Meyer — Producer
Ulf is specialized with his production company addictivefilm in online marketing and distribution strategies for feature films and documentary movies. In close cooperation with filmmaker Marcus Vetter and his company Filmperspektive, a total of eight feature films have been produced since 2008, in which he was involved in various functions, for example, as a second Cameraman in projects such as the movie Cinema Jenin (2009) and as a producer in Killing For Love (aka The Promise 2016) and the latest movie Tunnel To Freedom released in 2021.
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Contact
For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.