Documentary Highlighting an ALS Warrior
Renowned documentarian, Christopher Burke’s film – “No Ordinary Campaign” freely available on Amazon Prime from today has faced remarkable challenges, primarily due to the Covid pandemic. The timing could not have been worse as due to the very nature of the disease the documentary focuses on, ALS, timing is of utmost essence. Sufferers of ALS, most notably the subject of the film, Brian Wallach, have their survival clock ticking rapidly towards an inevitable end. Diagnosed with ALS, Wallach was given a mere six months to live upon the birth of his second daughter.
Torn Between Hope and Despair
Wallach, who was once an Obama administration veteran was suddenly thrust into a fight not just against time, but against a system which seemed ill-equipped to offer anything but palliative care. The young father, aged 37, was uncertain whether he would live to see his 40th birthday. His expected safety net fell short of expectations. He and his wife, Sandra, whom he met and worked with during former President Obama’s 2008 campaign, faced grim prospects.
Taking Action into their Own Hands
The dire prognosis, however, failed to daunt the couple. They chose to lean on their political network and formed I AM ALS, a robust advocacy group. This organisation aimed to rally fellow ALS patients together to lobby for research and potential cures. The group also provided much-needed support and resources. Despite his condition, Wallach continues to actively promote the film and the cause, even maintaining his sense of humour.
A Unique Storytelling Approach
“No Ordinary Campaign” aspires to be more than the average ALS story; it aims to be both poignant and influential. It showcases not just the personal experience attributed to the disease but envelopes it in a larger narrative. Producer Tim Rummel articulates that while the film explores Brian and Sandra’s personal journey with the disease, it also serves as a universal call to action against any overwhelming challenge.
The Impact of Covid
As with many other aspects of life, the Covid pandemic greatly hampered the film’s production, particularly due to the increased risk ALS patients face with the disease. The hiatus resulted in six months of lost in-person time together, but Burke decided that circumstances demanded a return to the project, even amid the pandemic. He quarantined and took multiple Covid tests to ensure Wallach’s safety.
Courage Beyond Expectations
The documentary reframes the narrative around ALS from just the fighter’s journey and highlights an often unnoticed vertical- the caregivers. Balancing her roles as caregiver, wife and nonprofit co-founder, Sandra’s struggle with the disease parallel to Brian is also a significant focal point of the film. Burke commended Sandra’s courage to capture her raw, intimate experience, providing a degree of authenticity to the film.
An Unforgettable Legacy
The main message the filmmakers wanted to address was the urgency of the situation surrounding ALS. They wish to embody the fast-paced, aggressive nature of the disease and underline the gloomy inadequacy of the FDA’s drug approval processes in keeping up. However, the film ends on a hopeful note with Congress passing the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act in December 2021. Burke believes the success of the Covid-19 vaccines illustrates government potential when unified for a common cause, a sentiment he now sees echoed in the fight against ALS.
Originally premiered at SXSW in March 2023, the documentary “No Ordinary Campaign” is now available on Amazon Prime, chronologically presenting the brave fight against ALS by Brian Wallach and his victories so far. The feature-length documentary is a testament to the extraordinary courage in ordinary lives and a reminder that unity and perseverance can indeed spark change.
