Watch Unrest

Unrest is a documentary film released in 2017 that depicts the struggles of individuals suffering from a chronic illness called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The film showcases the journey of Jennifer Brea, a Harvard PhD student and activist for chronic illness, who is diagnosed with ME/CFS shortly before her wedding. Jennifer, who used to lead an active life, is suddenly struck down by a mysterious illness that leaves her bedridden and struggling to perform basic activities such as taking a shower or brushing her teeth. Jennifer's life takes a dramatic turn as she seeks to find answers about her condition and help others who suffer from the same condition.

The documentary captures her journey, starting with the early symptoms of depression and fatigue to the discovery of her illness and the difficulties she faces in receiving the correct diagnosis, treatment, and support from medical professionals. While exploring her journey, the film also highlights other patients who suffer from ME/CFS and shares their experiences, which are filled with despair, frustration, and isolation due to the lack of proper diagnosis and understanding of the illness.

Unrest presents a poignant story of the personal struggle that the patients and their families have to face daily as they navigate their lives with an illness that is often misunderstood and stigmatized. As Jennifer's condition worsens, she turns to online communities to form support networks and receives advice from medical experts in the field. She interviews researchers and doctors who explain the complexities of ME/CFS and the struggles of providing a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

The film is a mixture of raw footage from Jennifer's daily life and interviews with other patients and researchers who are passionate about finding a cure and reversing the lack of understanding about the illness. Unrest is a powerful and emotional portrayal of the patients' experience with chronic illness and the lengths they have to go to receive proper care and support.

The documentary also explores the institutional barriers that prevent research and funding for ME/CFS and highlights the lack of accessibility to medical facilities and accommodations for people living with chronic illness. Through the portrayal of the patients' daily struggles, the film draws attention to the inequality of healthcare and the urgency of increased research funding to find a cure for ME/CFS.

The documentary also examines the power of social media and online communities as tools for advocacy and raising awareness of invisible disabilities. Unrest shows how patients and their supporters advocate for their rights and lobby for better policies and accommodations. The film gives a voice to the patients, who are often forgotten and ignored by the mainstream medical community, and shows their resilience in the face of adversity and their commitment to finding answers.

Overall, Unrest is a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging documentary that sheds light on the personal struggles and institutional barriers that chronic illness patients face daily. The film is a wake-up call to society and the medical community to take chronic illnesses seriously and to invest more in research and support for those who suffer from them.

Unrest is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 80.