44 Hours
Gil Avni was pronounced brain dead and lies unconscious in the intensive care unit. The doctors give him 4 hours to live, his wife kisses him goodbye, his father-in-law goes over his insurance policy and plans to get rid of the family dog, and his friends come to visit for the last time. Only without everyone knowing, he hears and understands everything that is happening around him, as if he was a guest at his own funeral. 44 hours later, just when Gil comes to terms with the fact that he is, in fact, about to die, he astonishingly wakes up and recounts every single minute of his harrowing locked-in experience.
With only 2 known cases worldwide, Gil’s story provides the world’s first living testimony of a case like this, leading to changes in medical ethics and protocols regarding patients who teeter on the verge of life and death.
A personal note from Gil:
"I am a simple person, a man with a steady job, a wife and two kids. I'm happy this way. No complaints. No ups and downs. I am one who chose never to take any chances… and suddenly I go through the most traumatic experience there is. I don't think there is anyone who can imagine or understand the hopelessness I experienced when I felt nothing but heard everything." (Gil Avni)
Documentary
Feature | 1 x 83'
Language | Hebrew
Directed by
Rotem Gross
Produced by
Einat-Hana Shamir, yes Docu
International Distribution
yes Studios