More than 25 million Americans suffer with chronic pain. They’re desperate and eager to try anything to get their life back… to have a life at all. We're at a critical time in our production and looking for the funds to complete this film. Your support is what will get this important story told. Every donation helps and no amount is too small.
---
PAIN BRAIN is capturing a paradigm shift. For years, pain has been viewed as a problem with the body- If you have pain in your back, the problem must be in the back. However, leading neuroscience is telling a different story, and the brain is at its center. By following the largest brain imaging study on treatments for chronic pain, PAIN BRAIN explores why so many treatments have been ineffective, providing a first hand look into what is actually helping people in pain.
PAIN BRAIN is a character driven story. Following the personal lives of three professionals involved in the study- a medical doctor, a scientist, and a talk therapist- PAIN BRAIN balances scientific breakthrough alongside intimate access to providers and their patients, fighting with everything they’ve got to make the pain go away.
THE TEAM
Freida Pinto. Executive Producer.
Mitch Dickman. Director/Producer
Tim Kaminski. Director/Producer
Laurie Polisky. Director/Producer
Freida Pinto (executive producer) is an award-winning actress from Mumbai, India known for her roles in Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and most recently, Mowgli (2018) and Love, Sonia (2018). She was a producer and ambassador for Girl Rising (2013) and is a champion of girl’s education and empowerment.
Mitch Dickman (director/producer) is an award winning producer and director, recently named “Top 10 Documakers to watch” by Variety. Recent credits include Casting Jon Benet (Co-Producer 2017 Sundance), Speaking is Difficult (Cinematographer 2016 Sundance) Rolling Papers (Producer/Director 2015 SXSW), Being Evel (Line Producer 2015 Sundance), and Hanna Ranch (Producer/Director 2014 NY Times Critics Pick).
Tim Kaminski (director/producer) is a producer, director and editor of narrative and documentary films. Recent work includes Mrs. Drake (Co-Producer) directed by Caitlin FitzGerald, Rolling Papers (Editor) by Mitch Dickman and Jeff Orlowski's Chasing Coral (Editor). In addition to Pain Brain, Tim is also producing and directing a documentary about a small Alaskan town's uniquely laissez-faire approach to keeping itself on the map.
Laurie Polisky (director/producer) is uniquely situated with both a background in neuroscience and film. With positions at Nielsen Neurofocus and the Institute of Cognitive Science, Laurie has utilized fMRI, EEG, and biometrics to assess how the brain responds to images, videos, and pain. She was assistant programmer of the 17th annual Local Sightings Film Festival, has presented work at SCMS-U, and has published in Film Matters.