Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (1996)

Portrait of writer Mark O'Brien, who contracted polio as a child and spent much of his life in an iron lung.

Director:

Jessica Yu

Writer:

Jessica Yu

Stars:

Mark O'Brien, Elizabeth Duvall, Ian Berzon

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mark O'Brien	...	Himself
Elizabeth Duvall	...	Herself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ian Berzon	...	Himself

Storyline

According to Mark O'Brien, "The two mythologies about disabled people break down to one: we can't do anything, or two: we can do everything. But the truth is, we're just human." O'Brien was a frequently published journalist and poet, and a contributor to National Public Radio. He contracted polio in childhood and, due to post-polio syndrome, spent much of his life in an iron lung. Yet for more than forty years, he fought against illness, bureaucracy and society's conflicting perceptions of disability for his right to lead an independent life. Breathing Lessons breaks down barriers to understanding by presenting an honest and intimate portrait of a complex, intelligent, beautiful and interesting person, who happens to be disabled. Incorporating the vivid imagery of O'Brien's poetry, and his candid, wry and often profound reflections on work, sex, death and God, this provocative film asks: what makes a life worth living?

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Plot Keywords:

polio | friendship | meditation | poet | poem | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Berkeley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Inscrutable Films, Pacific News Service

Technical Specs

Runtime:

35 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mark O'Brien: Everybody becomes disabled unless they die first.

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Soundtracks

Piano by Sandra Tsing Loh
Guitar by Mike Miller
Cello by Mark Salzman
Cello improvisations by Mark Salzman

User Reviews

Live for not matter what your misfortune, condition or plight, you are so fortunate to have been given the opportunity!

This is an absolute exceptional film taking you into the mind, life, struggle, joy, depression, love, and eventual (beyond the film) death of a completely developed person but physically fully incapacitated.

Think of where most of us may find ourselves in the coming 30 to 50 years and you may see yourself in Brian's place though he was strickened so much earlier in life.

Thank Jessica for doing a superb performance in documenting this person's life. Will never forget her remarks at the Academy Awards where she so humbly remarked (and I paraphrase) that it was indeed a gala where the dress you were wearing to it cost more than what it cost to make the film.

And thank you Brian!