My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014) on Netflix
NR20141h 24mDocumentary
Lotje Sodderland, 34, survives a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a congenital vascular malformation. It leaves her without reading, writing or coherent speech, and she begins filming herself.
- Netflix3.5/5
- IMDb7.0/102,562 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Trailer
Plot summary
In November 2011, Lotje Sodderland, 34 and living in London, had a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a congenital vascular malformation, and surgeons operated on her parietal and temporal lobes. Aphasia took away her reading, writing and coherent speech, and the year that followed is recorded largely in footage she shot herself, beginning with the video-selfies she took on her iPhone in the hospital. She describes memory deficits, confusion, changed sensory perception and an oversensitivity to noise, along with fatigue, frustration and the support of family and friends. Her rehabilitation includes occupational therapy and speech therapy, and visits with a psychologist and psychiatrist.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Large parts of My Beautiful Broken Brain were shot by its protagonist Lotje Sodderland herself: she began recording video-selfies on her iPhone just a few days after her stroke, while still in hospital.
- The documentary was initiated by its own protagonist, who said making a film about her struggles was the first linear thought she had after her stroke; two weeks later she contacted documentary filmmaker Sophie Robinson to enlist her help.
