39 Pounds of Love

39 Pounds of Love is a film written and directed by Dani Menkin, with co-writer, Ilan Heitner. It stars Ami Ankilewitz, a 34-year-old Israeli 3D animator who lived with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The documentary centers on his journey across the United States by motorhome to find the doctor who told his mother when he was born that he would not live past the age of 6.[1] The title refers to the fact that Ankilewitz weighed only 39 pounds during his cross-country trip due to the rare form of SMA/2 that he was born with. Even though he could not move any part of his body except for one finger, he was still determined to use that finger to create 3D animations and live his life as he would if he had not suffered from SMA.[1] 39 Pounds of Love was officially released on April 5, 2005 and was re-released on DVD on October 6, 2009.[2]

39 Pounds of Love
Directed byDani Menkin
Written byDani Menkin
Ilan Heitner
StarringAmi Ankilewitz
Music byChris Gubisch
CinematographyYoav Kleinman
Distributed byBalcony Releasing
Release date
  • April 9, 2005 (2005-04-09) (US)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Awards

39 Pounds of Love won Best Documentary at both the Tahoe/Reno and Palm Beach Film Festivals, and won the Audience Award at both the Tallgrass and Boston Jewish Film Festival.[1] The film was also placed on the Oscar short list for the Best Documentary Feature category in 2005.[3]

Cast and credits

39 Pounds of Love follows Ankilewitz on his journey across the United States with his best friend and caretaker, Asaf. The film also includes Ankilewitz's brother, Oscar, and his mother, Helena.[1]

The documentary was produced by Asfur, Hilla Medalia and Daniel J. Chalfen, and was both written and directed by Dani Menkin, with co-writer, Ilan Heitner.[4]

The animations in the film were all created by Ankilewitz.[4]

News

Ankilewitz died on September 20, 2009 after battling SMA/2 for 41 years.[5]

References
  1. "39 Pounds of Love official website". Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  2. Amazon.com release information
  3. Indiewire.com article on Oscar shortlist
  4. IMDB cast info
  5. "'39 Pounds of Love' star dies at 41". The Jerusalem Post. September 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
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