So Much So Fast

The Remarkable Story of
the Heywood Brothers
Has Captured National Attention.

When asked what he would do differently in the five years since his ALS diagnosis, Stephen Heywood replied, "Have more sex on film." What would you do if you were 29 and found you may only have a few years to live? The film is about the remarkable events set in motion when Stephen Heywood discovered he had the paralyzing neural disorder ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Made over five years, So Much So Fast tracks one family's ferocious response to an orphan disease: the kind of disease drug companies ignore because not there's not enough profit in curing it. In reaction, and with no medical background, Stephen's brother Jamie creates a guerrilla-science research group and in two years builds it from three people in a basement to a multi-million dollar ALS mouse facility, the largest anywhere. Finding a drug in time becomes Jamie's all-consuming obsession. Stephen's position is you can't live every day like it's your last (since you'd be hung over every morning). Instead, he gets married, has a son and rebuilds two houses. He and his wife Wendy's laser-like observations of the world and their predicament go to the heart of the fragility of being alive.

Year: 2006, Length: 87 min., Origin: Massachusetts, USA
Producer/Director,Writer: Steven Ascher, Jeanne Jordan, Cinematographer: Steven Ascher, Composer: Sheldon Mirowitz, Editor: Jeanne Jordan

ALS film opening in NY (10/11) and Boston (10/27) Message List

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We are makers of the film, So Much So Fast about ALS and the Heywood
family's fight against the disease. Many PALS, CALS and clinicians
have seen the film since it premiered at Sundance and have found the
film powerful, insightful and inspiring.

The film is opening in New York on October 11 for a week and in Boston
on October 27.

You can see more about the film at www.somuchsofast.com

Please help us get word out to the ALS community.

Thanks very much!

Steven Ascher & Jeanne Jordan
Producers/Directors


Here's the info:

SO MUCH SO FAST
From the Academy Award nominated directors of Troublesome Creek, comes
a new documentary film, So Much So Fast. A black-humored cliffhanger
of romance, guerrilla science and the redefinition of time. Stephen
Heywood finds out he has ALS. His brother Jamie becomes obsessed with
finding a cure. And the woman who's falling in love with Stephen has a
decision to make.

One week engagement at the Village East Theater (2nd Ave at 12th St.)
Wednesday 10/11 – Tuesday 10/17

Info and trailer at www.somuchsofast.com

"Triumphant!"
-- Ty Burr, Boston Globe

"Jaw-droppingly good. Oscar-worthy. You'll be hearing a lot about So
Much So Fast."
-- Air America

"Gripping, intimate, complex and dramatic."
-- Claiborne Smith, Sundance Daily Insider

"Amazing. A 2006 Sundance favorite in the documentary category. It
makes the concept of fictional narrative drama seem just a little bit
ridiculous."
Five Stars. - Tim Cogshell, Box Office Magazine

"A gloriously subversive sense of humor."
-- Talha Burki , The Lancet

The film is opening in New York on October 11 for a week and in Boston
on October 27.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Since the ALS TDF story began seven years ago many of you have asked about my brother Stephen and the beginnings of our revolution in ALS research. And while I have tried my best to capture both in words, there has always been that bit that just can’t be spoken or written.

Despite his paralysis, Stephen continues to be the brother I have always known. Yet the realities of ALS keep many of you from having the pleasure of knowing him in his own right. This year an independent documentary film about Stephen, my family, and the formation of ALS TDF is making it possible for you to meet him in his own voice and words.

The last 7 years have been an amazing journey - together we have made so much happen so fast so I am very excited to introduce you to the aptly named So Much So Fast.

From West City Films: So Much So Fast

http://r.vresp.com/?ALSTDF/bac4ef322...b50a88/230acf4

From the Academy Award nominated directors of Troublesome Creek, Steven Ascher & Jeanne Jordan, comes a new documentary film, So Much So Fast. A black-humored cliffhanger of romance, guerrilla science and the redefinition of time, So Much So Fast unfolds like a nonfiction novel. Stephen Heywood finds out he has ALS. His brother Jamie becomes obsessed with finding a cure. And the woman who’s falling in love with Stephen has a decision to make.

Made over 5 years, So Much So Fast tracks one family's ferocious response to an orphan disease: the kind of disease drug companies ignore because not there's not enough profit in curing it. In reaction, and with no medical background, Stephen's brother Jamie creates a research group and in two years builds it from three people in a basement to a multi-million dollar ALS research center.

Opening Now In: New York, Boston, Indianapolis, Silver Spring, Fort Wayne, Salem OR and more. Visit http://r.vresp.com/?ALSTDF/9b9fb262a...b50a88/230acf4 for screenings


Thanks to the generosity of the filmmakers, ALS TDF has been given the permission to use the film for a select number of special screenings as fundraisers for the Foundation. If you would like to host a screening to help raise money or awareness for ALS please contact Molly Cotter (mcotter@als.net) at 617-441-7249.

Your friendship and ongoing support make what we started seven years ago possible - thank you.

-jamie

For more information on our current research or to donate please visit our website at http://r.vresp.com/?ALSTDF/3d3b8d1af...b50a88/230acf4

James Allen Heywood
d'Arbeloff Founding Director
www.als.net - jheywood@als.net

Good to hear about this film...Lisa

HUMOR, HOPE AMID INCURABLE ILLNESS
By V.A. MUSETTO
Stephen Heywood holds his son, Alex.Rating:

October 13, 2006 -- 'SO Much So Fast" is a profile in courage revolving around the tragic life of Stephen Heywood, who at the age of just 29 discovered he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an incurable neurological ailment better known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The documentary, directed by Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan, follows Heywood through the five years after he received the bad news, during which he marries, has a child and physically deteriorates to the point where he is unable to move or speak.

ALS is an "orphan disease," which means not enough people have it to make it worthwhile for drug companies to seek a cure. So Stephen's older brother, Jamie, sets up a foundation in search of a remedy.

Despite its subject, "So Much So Fast" never becomes maudlin. Rather, it retains an upbeat air of hope, and even humor, as two brave men battle fate.

SO MUCH SO FAST
Running time: 87 minutes. Not rated (mature themes). At the Village East, Second Avenue and 12th Street.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10132006...a__musetto.htm

http://westcityfilms.com/smsf.html

From the Academy Award nominated directors of
Troublesome Creek, Steven Ascher & Jeanne Jordan,
comes a new documentary film, SO MUCH SO FAST.

A black-humored cliffhanger of romance, guerrilla science
and the redefinition of time, SO MUCH SO FAST unfolds
like a nonfiction novel. Stephen Heywood finds out he
has ALS and his brother Jamie becomes obsessed with
finding a cure.