Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

One hundred pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn’t end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn’t far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe’s personal mission to regain his health.

With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body’s ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and get healthy.

While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it’s at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs. He is a cheeseburger away from a heart attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil
begins his own epic journey to get well.

What emerges is nothing short of amazing – an inspiring tale of healing and human connection. Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves.

FILM FESTIVALS & AWARDS
WINNER, BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE IOWA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION, LANDLOCKED FILM FESTIVAL 2010
WINNER, TURNING POINT AWARD, SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2010
WINNER, AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD, SONOMA FILM FESTIVAL 2010
OFFICIAL SELECTION, DEAD CENTER FILM FESTIVAL 2010