Cherish
By Cherish Clinton and Lisa Ward
“No Ordinary Campaign” is a moving documentary about a couple’s crusade to advocate for ALS treatments.
Directed by Christopher Burke this film follows Chicago couple Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya who met and fell in love while campaigning in 2008 for President Barack Obama. Brian, a healthy former athlete and lawyer at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, was diagnosed with ALS at the young age of 37 and given just sixth months to live.
The documentary shows the unbreakable bond and strength between Brian and his wife Sandra as they take on the medical establishment all the way to Washington D.C. to fight for his life, and others affected by the unforgiving disease.
A particularly gripping antecdote was about an ALS patient mentioned in the film who was approved for a drug trial and had shown remarkable improvement. But the trial ended, and due to current laws, the patient was unable to have the drug any longer and reversed course, declining in health until passing away.
This ambitious power couple organized a patient-led revolution overly seemingly impossible odds to get more ALS drug therapies to market. It was such a delight to see them at the festival promoting their well done and informative film.
(Pictured l. to r.): Christopher Burke, Brian Wallach, Sandra Abrevaya and Rachel Platten attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. [courtesy photo]
Another interesting element was the use of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” in the film. Turns out the Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter had a chance encounter with Brian and Sandra and ended up falling in love with their story. When hearing about the documentary, Platten went to her record label and asked if they could use her song for free in the film and it was approved.
“I just saw the most incredible movie that “Fight Song” was privileged to be in…I was sobbing in the theater, so incredibly moved…Yesterday, we got to walk the red carpet together – what an honor. I don’t think I’ll ever look at red carpets the same – It was so meaningful to be with my friends who are literally changing the world. I loved it. I hope in whatever small way I can help the film get out there.” – Rachel Platten via Instagram
For anyone who has been affected by someone with ALS, or any other life altering diagnosis, this is a MUST WATCH as their nonprofit provides a free playbook on how to advocate for interventions and therapies.
The 38th Santa Barbara International Film Festival runs through February 18. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes and tickets are on sale now at .
