‘Fauda’ Producer Yes Studios Scores Major Deals on Doc ’44 Hours,’ About Man Who Survived Locked-In Syndrome (EXCLUSIVE)

Elsa Keslassy

20 November 2023 at 6:57 am·2-min read

Yes Studios, the Tel Aviv-based producer and distributor behind “Fauda,” has scored major deals on “44 Hours,” a documentary feature about Gil Avni, a healthy 33-year-old father of two who was diagnosed with cerebral edema and miraculously recovered.

The feature-length documentary has been acquired by Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and by NRK in Norway for its linear channels and VOD platform. The feature version has also been licensed to DocEdge Virtual Cinema, the year-round viewing platform that supports the influential Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand.

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“44 Hours” garnered hit ratings on Yes TV earlier this year, and ranked in the Top 10 titles on Netflix in Israel. Yes Studios handles worldwide distribution for the documentary.

“44 Hours” tells the moving journey of Avni, who was rushed to hospital after becoming suddenly ill. Pronounced brain-dead and given only a few hours to live, Avni said goodbye to his family and friends. What nobody knew is that Gil was aware of what was happening around him and could hear every word. When he was brought back to life, Avni provided the world’s first living testimony of locked-in syndrome, a condition in which the body and facial muscles are paralyzed but consciousness remains. It’s one of only three known worldwide cases of locked-in syndrome.

The documentary boasts interviews with Avni, who has now fully recovered, as well as with his family and the medical team that cared for him. His unique case has led to important changes in medical ethics and protocols regarding the handling of patients teetering between life and death.

“44 Hours” was produced by Yes Docu, Rotem Gross and Einat-Hana Shamir. It was co-produced with Neue Celluloid Fabrik Filmproduktion and SWR in Germany, in cooperation with ARTE in France.

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