An Unprecedented Documentary on Families Fighting Childhood Cancer
Premieres on the Emmy-Award Winning Series Independent Lens
June 21 and June 22 from 9 to 11 p.m.
Only on PBS

A LION IN THE HOUSE, which opened at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews, comes to PBS on June 21. An intimate, intense and ultimately inspiring documentary about ordinary people getting through the impossible, this four-hour film follows five families over six years as they battle pediatric cancer with courage, resilience and heart. From the trauma of diagnosis to the physical toll of treatment, from the stresses that can tear a family apart to the astonishing courage of children who face the possibility of death with honesty and humor, rebellion and dignity, A LION IN THE HOUSE captures a life-altering experience in all its complex dimensions. Its television premiere, and related Web content on www.pbs.org/independentlens/lioninthehouse, is part of the PBS commitment to bring viewers high-quality and unprecedented health content.

"A heartwarming and heartbreaking documentary" — CNN

Filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert were given complete access to the children, their families and the medical teams treating them. On camera in real time, they wrestle with profoundly difficult questions to agree on a plan of action where there are few guideposts and fewer guarantees. Transcending the cancer experience, A LION IN THE HOUSE reveals the intense pressures and heart-rending dilemmas that are often part of the struggle with a life-threatening disease.

"Nothing short of humbling, cathartic and even euphoric" — Variety

Says filmmaker Julia Reichert, "I would never have considered taking on this film if I had not myself gone through the experience of fighting cancer with my child…my life gave me a goal: to help end the isolation that people fighting cancer experience."

National Outreach Campaign

A national community outreach campaign is transforming viewer responses into actions that will improve care and strengthen support systems for everyone fighting childhood cancer, especially those who face socio-economic challenges. Learn more at www.itvs.org/outreach/lioninthehouse.

A specific outreach project, targeting young adult survivors of childhood cancer, has also been launched in conjunction with A LION IN THE HOUSE. It will help survivors to get the information and support they need to stay healthy. Learn more at www.survivoralert.org.

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