Athlete. Husband. Father. Hero: Arrow Films Releases Critically Acclaimed Documentary Gleason in Cinemas this March

Arrow Films is delighted to announced that it will be releasing the critically acclaimed documentary GLEASON in UK cinemas from 17th March 2017. Directed by Clay Tweel (Finders Keepers, Print the Legend, Make Believe), the film follows former American football star Steve Gleason as he is diagnosed with MND/ALS (Motor Neurone Disease) at the age of 34 and learns that his wife is pregnant with their first child.

Determined to live his remaining years to its fullest, Steve goes on an expedition to Alaska, creates a foundation to help other ALS (MND) patients, repairs a rocky relationship with his father and embraces new technologies to help compensate for his deteriorating physical abilities — all with Michel’s unwavering support. Brimming with humour and heart, this inspirational documentary follows a man who battles overwhelming adversity to find his true purpose in life.

GLEASON is written and directed by Clay Tweel, cameras operated by Ty Minton-Small and David Lee; edited by Tweel and Brian Palmer (Finders Keepers, Print the Legend), music by Dan Romer (Beasts of No Nation, Beasts of the Southern Wild) and music sound designer Saul Simon MacWilliams (Beasts of No Nation).

GLEASON premiered in the UK at the BFI London Film Festival 2016 and won the Audience Award at SXSW Film Festival 2016, The Critics Choice Documentary Award, Special Jury Mention at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival as well as Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards and North Texas Film Critics Association. GLEASON has also been nominated across multiple awards and festivals including Sundance Film Festival for the Documentary Grand Jury Prize.

About Arrow Films
Arrow Films is a multi-tiered, all-rights entertainments company that is committed to deliver exceptional content via innovative and pioneering marketing solutions, best of breed technical achievements and world class customer engagement.

Combining State of the Art restoration with bespoke, striking and unique packaging including world first personalised versions, Arrow is the Global Market leader in the premium Home Entertainment market.

Separately, Arrow is focused in developing its own internationally iconic brands across multiple platforms, including physical media, theatrical, digital, publishing and at dedicated fan events. From TV Series to Feature Films, Arrow delivers content to customers at the forefront of new technology in the ever-changing media landscape.
Arrow is a friendly, family-based and respected entertainment company with a strong heritage and global ambitions.

About MND
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

Take a look at some key facts and information about MND.

MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.

Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.

MND and ALS
MND and ALS are different descriptions of the same disease.

The MND Association, which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the ALS Association, which operates in the USA, do the same type of work. The only real difference is what we call the disease.

In the UK we use MND – motor neurone disease – and in the USA they use ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Both refer to a fatal, progressive disease that can rob people of the ability to speak, move and breathe. There is no cure.

The reason there is a difference is that there are several forms of MND. ALS is the most common type.

MND is an umbrella term for all forms of the disease. In the USA, ALS is used as the umbrella term (they also sometimes refer to it as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

The MND Association in the UK and The ALS Association in America work very closely together on numerous projects, especially around global research into a cause of MND / ALS, and we are delighted to be carrying on #IceBucketChallenge in the UK, following the ALS Association’s great work in America.

The MND Association helps people with or affected by MND in several ways. We work to improve care and support, fund research to find a cure and campaign to raise awareness of the needs of people with MND. We also fundraise to pay for this important work.

You can find out more about the different types of MND.

DIRECTOR’S BIOGRAPHY – CLAY TWEEL
Clay Tweel made his directorial debut on the documentary MAKE BELIEVE, chronicling six teenagers battling to become the world’s best teen magician, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the LA FILM FEST in 2010.

Clay’s next film, PRINT THE LEGEND, premiered at SXSW 2014 and was awarded the Special Jury Recognition for Storytelling and Editing. His last film, FINDERS KEEPERS, premiered at Sundance 2015 to rave reviews. After meeting Steve Gleason two years ago, Clay knew immediately that he wanted to be involved in telling such a personal and inspirational story.