Director: Mark Lipman, Helen S. Cohen
Country: U.S.A
Year: 2016
Winner of multiple audience awards, States of Grace intimately captures the profound transformation of Dr. Grace Dammann, a revered Buddhist physician and AIDS specialist, and her family in the wake of a life-changing accident. For Grace, a routine commute across the Golden Gate Bridge turned tragic when another driver crashed head on into her car. After seven weeks in a coma and a dozen surgeries, Grace miraculously awakened with her cognitive abilities intact, though her body was left shattered and severely disabled.
States of Grace follows her return home to the Buddhist community where she lives with her partner Nancy “Fu” Schroeder and their daughter Sabrina, who was born with cerebral palsy. Family dynamics are turned upside down and recalibrated, as each of them must negotiate new roles and responsibilities. With humor and candor, the film documents their story as Grace struggles to discover new purpose in her radically altered life.
Throughout the month, Dr. Grace Dammann will be available to answer any questions you may have about the making of the film. Post your questions and comments below, and she will get back to you.