Alive Inside (2014) - Trailer

ALIVE INSIDE is a joyous cinematic exploration of music's capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett chronicles the astonishing experiences of individuals around the country who have been revitalized through the simple experience of listening to music. His camera reveals the uniquely human connection we find in music and how its healing power can triumph where prescription medication falls short. This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. Rossato-Bennett visits family members who have witnessed the miraculous effects of personalized music on their loved ones, and offers illuminating interviews with experts including renowned neurologist and best-selling author Oliver Sacks (Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain) and musician Bobby McFerrin ("Don't Worry, Be Happy"). An uplifting cinematic exploration of music and the mind, ALIVE INSIDE's inspirational and emotional story left audiences humming, clapping and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.

Sedona Film Festival: Audience Award
Calgary Underground Film Festival: Audience Award
Milan Film Festival: Best Documentary
Berkshire Film Festival: Audience Award
Sundance Film Festival: Audience Award
Provincetown Film Festival: Audience Award

Press Quotes

Gloriously inspirational.

—Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter

Sometimes, you have to see it to believe it.

—Rheana Murray, New York Daily News

In a world drowning in bad news about dementia...'Alive Inside' is positively tonic.

—Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

You'd have to have a heart of stone and bricks for ears not to be moved by the sight of Henry when the music hits him.

—Geoff Pevere, The Globe and Mail

The results are astounding.

—Steve Greene, Indiewire

Moving and groundbreaking. The film far exceeded what I'd imagined.

—Debbie Cerda, Slackerwood

The transformation in emotion, awareness and memory shown in these elderly patients may leave viewers incredulous...

—Annie Sneed, Scientific American

In segment after segment, people with Alzheimer's and other conditions don the headphones, hear the music of their youths and light up.

—Kim Painter, USA Today