Like many parents of young children who run around the house wreaking havoc, Montrealers Edith Lemay and Sébastian Pelletier have their hands full. But in their case, what concerns them most is that three of their four children suffer from a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which is gradually robbing Mia, Colin and Laurent of their eyesight. In their deeply moving new documentary, BLINK, filmmakers Edmund Stenson (“Finding Fukue”) and Daniel Roher (who won the Oscar® for “Navalny”) observe how this diagnosis has created a shockwave through the family, but also led to new adventures and personal growth.

Ed and Daniel join Ken on the pod to talk about how they came to know the Pelletiers and bear witness to the family’s yearlong journey around the world. Designed to help the children create strong visual memories that will last a lifetime, the trip is guided by an epic bucket list that also serves to drive the film’s narrative. As we witness the family traverse the globe, checking off items on the list, we find ourselves seeing the world through different sets of eyes. Scenes of delight and awe alternate with moments of uncertainty and fear. Ultimately, BLINK is a story of opening up and finding your place, including in your own family.

BLINK is being released by National Geographic Documentary Films in select theaters starting October 4th.

Follow:

@daniel_roher on Instagram and @DanielRoher on twitter/X

@edmund.stenson on Instagram

@topdocspod on Instagram and twitter/X

Hidden Gems:

Edmund: “A Man Vanishes”

Daniel: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”

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