A message from Keith Famie
(personal bio PDF / Visionalist bio PDF)

As the Executive Producer/Director of this deeply important film, I want to offer these thoughts.

First, I am so very proud of my team of Associate Producers, Director of Office Operations and my Editor. Their shared passion and vision for the documentaries I produce is so crucial to the success of what we do as storytellers. We only take on productions that I feel can affect change in our audience's lives, inspire, educate, enlighten or offer a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of someone else.

As examples of this, I want to share with you some of our current productions. Currently airing on Detroit Public Television / PBS is our 13-part series, The Embrace of Aging: the female perspective of growing old.
(watch the trailer / read the free press article)

This series will soon be launched throughout the PBS stations in Michigan. I am so proud of the relationship we have developed and the support we have gained from Detroit Public Television. In the fall of 2015, we will have completed another 13-part series, The Embrace of Dying: how we deal with the end of life.
(watch the trailer / visit the website)

In the spring of 2015, we plan to tour the country with a very special documentary in hopes of bringing a better understanding of what it's like to live with a terminal cancer diagnosis and to fight for your life and eventually have to face the fact that you are going to die. Maire's Journey is this story and much more
(watch the trailer / visit the website)

When my partner in this production, Executive Producer Rabbi Daniel Syme, first approached me about this project, I was both flattered and concerned. I had to really think about how my team and I could best make a difference in the emotional and often tragic world of depression and suicide. Once I made the decision that this is a documentary we should produce I have been starting to outline a plan.

In this film we will feature reputable professionals and authors. I want to tell the stories of those who are dealing with depression issues in hopes of building a better understanding of the vast levels and complicated realms that people often face. Through the journeys we take, we will gain an emotional insight into what happens to families and people when they lose a loved one to suicide.

Rabbi Syme's desire to create a documentary of this nature stems from his personal life. When he was a 29 year old Rabbi, he lost his 21 year old brother, Michael, to suicide. Since that time, some forty years ago, Rabbi Syme has made it his life's mission to travel the country talking to young people from all walks of life in an effort to help them with their own personal emotional issues. I am proud and honored to be working with Rabbi Syme on this production.

Most importantly, I am hoping that through interviews of the lives we step into, we might save a troubled teen, change the course of social bullying, help a middle aged person to find that reason for living, or create a newfound life purpose for that forgotten senior.

What I have learned in my lifetime as a fifty-five year old, as well as my countless hours filming with people from all walks of life is this: depression does not care what color your skin is, if you are rich or poor, young or old. Suicide holds no boundaries. We will take on this challenge and we hope you will support our efforts.

We are fortunate to be able to work with two wonderful organizations here in metro Detroit, Michigan - MINDS and Kevins Song. Both of these organizations will play an important role in this films success. Please read about each one of them when you have time.

Together Rabbi Daniel and I know we will create a film that will touch many.

Thank you,
Keith