There are many inspiring films about Parkinson’s, from Michael J Fox’s Emmy-winning Still to the BAFTA-winning Isabella, but for our Summer of Sport we wanted to focus on films that tell powerful stories of Parkinson’s sports and exercise.
We’ve selected six examples from across Europe and beyond, in a variety of European languages, including English, French, Dutch and German, covering everything from dancing to climbing mountains! Let’s get inspired:
1. Ma Vie Est Défi (France)
French
Released in 2022, this poignant film follows former professional golfer Yves Auberson, who was blindsided by a Parkinson’s diagnosis at the age of 35. Despite struggling badly with dyskinesia (involuntary movements), Yves sets himself a challenge: to walk 1,000km through the Swiss Alps. This is a moving film about how Parkinson’s doesn’t condemn you to a life of inactivity, showing how Yves has fought to overcome so much in the 15 years since his diagnosis.
Find out more about Ma Vie est un Défi and purchase the DVD on the Jupiter Films website.
2. Outrunning Parkinson’s (USA)
English
This moving short film from 2015 tells the story of Michael Westphal, who despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003, is determined to run a marathon to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s. Michael had been an elite runner prior to his diagnosis, and the film shows how his Parkinson’s symptoms ease while he is running, but it also shows the immense strength and courage needed to reach his goal. As films about Parkinson’s go, this one is particularly touching.
You can watch the full 12-minute film above, followed by a Q&A with Michael himself.
3. Together Against Parkinson’s (Germany)
German with English subtitles
Centring on the 2020 ITTF Parkinson’s Table Tennis World Championship in Berlin, this film tells the story of the Yuvedo Foundation, the German charity who organised this event and have developed a community of people with Parkinson’s who are determined to fight for a cure. What’s clear throughout this film is the team’s determination and the strength they get from being together as a community – Together Against Parkinson’s is a great example of the social and communal benefits of exercising with Parkinson’s.
Find out more about the Yuvedo Foundation‘s work.
4. Ride with Larry (USA)
English
This award-winning documentary from 2013 tells the incredible story of how retired police captain Larry Smith embarks on a 300-mile bike ride across his home state of South Dakota to show just how much you can achieve with Parkinson’s. Larry had been living with Parkinson’s for 20 years by the time this film was made, and the documentary gives an intimate insight into his life with the condition, exploring the stigma of Parkinson’s, and Larry and his family’s incredible spirit in fighting against this and showing just what is possible.
You can watch an 8-minute clip of Ride with Larry here or rent the full 90-minute film on Amazon Prime.
5. Parkfit: Leven met Parkinson (The Netherlands)
Dutch
The film shows the impact of the Parkfit study at the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, The Netherlands between 2008 and 2012. During the study, 600 people with Parkinson’s undertook an exercise trial, with half only receiving specialised physiotherapy, and the other half receiving both physiotherapy and the Parkfit program, which encouraged people to gradually increase their exercise and live a more active lifestyle. The results showed the participants in the ParkFit group exercised more often, were fitter and more safe when they exercised, without an increase in falls. This film tells the story of some of the participants and their journey to becoming more active, and how this has impacted their overall quality of life.
Watch the full 18-minute film in the video above.
6. Cursed2Move (USA)
English and German, with English subtitles
While many of the films about Parkinson’s in this list are about extreme sporting feats, Cursed2Move is universally relateable, exploring how dance affects the lives of people with Parkinson’s. Filmmaker Bettina Rotzetter follows Dr Ines Debove, a neurologist from Bern University Hospital, as she visits Parkinson’s dance classes, beginning in Switzerland, before travelling to New York to visit David Leventhal and explore his famous Dance for PD programme. Like Parkfit: Leven met Parkinson (above) this film also includes useful testimony from renowned neurologist Professor Bas Bloem about the science behind why dance is so beneficial to Parkinson’s.
Watch the 25-minute film in full above.
Find more films about Parkinson’s here and visit our Sports & Exercise hub for more information about becoming more active with Parkinson’s
