Watch the documentary that won the 2014 Audience Award at both the Napa Valley and Mill Valley Film Festival. States of Grace chronicles Dr. Grace Dammann’s life in the wake of an accident on the Golden Gate Bridge that spared her cognitive abilities and destroyed her mobility. The film grapples with issues of freedom and trust as the renowned AIDS specialist, who had been honored by the Dalai Lama for her pioneering work in the field at the height of the epidemic in the 80s, is rendered heavily dependent on others.
Turmoil unfolds when Grace returns to her home at the Green Gulch Zen Center and tries to adjust to a life where her partner is now her primary caretaker as well as their daughter’s (who was born with cerebral palsy.) However — humor, patience, and mutual respect are all key components that help the women renegotiate their roles as they show audiences how strong families can be.
The film will be screening for a week from Friday, April 24 through Thursday, April 30. Opening night is Grace’s birthday; she and her family will be in attendance with the filmmakers at 7 p.m. that Friday, as well as on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to join and hear from all of them in the post-screening Q&A.
If You Go:
When: Friday, April 24 through Thursday, April 30
Tickets: $7 – 11
Where: Smith Rafael Film Center 1118 Fourth Street in San Rafael
Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.
