Director: Danny Mankin
Cameraman: Yoav Kleinman
70 minutes
The film follows the extraordinary story of Ami Ankilewitz who was born with an extremely rare and often fatal form of SMA/2 that severely limits his physical growth and movement. Doctors told his parents that he would not live past the age of 6.
Ami, who weighs only 39 pounds, works as a 3D animator and despite the fact that his bodily motion is limited to a single finger on his left hand, he will not be deterred from going or trying anything – even love.
The film accompanies Ami, whose heart is broken by an unfulfilled love to his caregiver, on a journey to the United States to track the doctor who has predicted his early demise and who has since vanished. The movie integrates parts of a film which Ami created about this love.
39 Pounds of Love is an optimistic and moving film about a man, who, despite insurmountable obstacles, lives, loves and hopes more than most of us. It won best film at the Palm Beach International Festival and was sold to the prestigious HBO network.
Additional Awards and festivals:
Nominated on the Oscar’s short list, won the Israeli Oscar award, The Jewish Festival in Boston, Tao Festival in Reno, Tall Grass Festival and many others around the world.
