Rachel:

A Perfect Life

feature documentary (90 minutes);

completed June 2007.

Synopsis

Rachel is a single mother and a very resilient young woman who has faced many problems in her life. Now she wants brain surgery to rid her of the epilepsy that is ruling her life.

This intimate observational documentary follows her through the assessment process for this surgery and the subsequent brain surgery, with many dramatic twists and turns along the way.

Featuring Rachel Ouchirenko, Professor Sam Berkovic & Professor Gavin Fabinyi

Awards and Screenings
  • Best Documentary at 2009 ILAE Centenary Award for Film (for the best doco about epilepsy made internationally in the last 10 years)
  • Gold Plaque at the 2008 HUGO Television Awards (USA) (Science/ Nature documentary category)
  • Best Feature Documentary at 2008 POW Fest/ Portland Women’s Film Festival (USA)
  • 2008 CINE Golden Eagle Award
  • Bronze REMI Award at 2008 Worldfest-Houston (USA)
  • Finalist for Best Direction in a Documentary at the 2008 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards
  • Finalist in the category “Directed By a Woman, Outstanding Filmor Show” at the 2008 Women’s Image Network (WIN) Awards (USA)
  • Finalist at the 2008 New York Festivals’ Film & Video Awards (Health/Medicine category)
  • Honourable Mention at the 2007 Accolade Competition (USA) (Health/Medicine category)
  • Official Selection at 2007 Sydney Film Festival, Australia (Premiere)
  • Official Selection at 2008 Mumbai International Film Festival, India
  • Official Selection at 2008 REVOLVE Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2008 Independents’ Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2008 Lone Star International Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2008 Anchorage International Film Festival, USA
  • Official Selection at 2010 Heart of Gold International Film Festival, Australia
  • Official Selection at 2010 Docutah, Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival, USA

Creative Team

  • DIRECTOR/ PRODUCER – Fiona Cochrane
  • DOP/ EDITOR – Zbigniew Friedrich
  • SOUND RECORDIST – Chris Izzard
  • MUSIC COMPOSER – Emma O’Brien

Distribution