Cinephil Joins Forces on Human Composting Documentary ‘The Life We Leave’ and Shares an Exclusive Clip from SXSW
Cinephil Acquires Worldwide Rights to The Life We Leave, Announces Premiere at SXSW
Cinephil has secured the global sales rights to The Life We Leave, the feature documentary directed by JJ Gerber, which is set to make its world premiere this week in the documentary feature competition at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.
The film delves into the urgent need for a reevaluation of deathcare, specifically through the practice of human composting—a concept where innovation, legacy, and grief converge. It draws inspiration from Washington state’s groundbreaking 2019 legislation, which made it the first region globally to legalize this environmentally friendly approach to body disposition. This legislative shift encouraged entrepreneur Micah Truman to establish Return Home, the first large-scale terramation facility in the world.
As Truman faces increasing resistance from the conventional deathcare sector, he learns the importance of supporting grieving families alongside his entrepreneurial endeavors. The documentary features insights from funeral directors Brie Smith and Katey Houston, offering a perspective on balancing compassion with environmental accountability.
The Life We Leave marks Gerber’s directorial debut, following his work as a producer on projects including the Emmy-nominated film Omoiyari: A Song Film by Kishi Bashi. He collaborates with Academy Award-winning producer Melanie Miller, recognized for her roles in Navalny and Blink, along with producers Clementine Briand and Ann Rogers of Humble Heart Films.
The film’s executive production team includes Emmy-winning Rocky Collins and Academy Award-nominated figures David J. Cornfield and Linda A. Cornfield, known for their work on Chasing Coral and Porcelain War. Gerber remarked, “This film began as a deeply personal effort to process my own grief after a transactional experience with the funeral industry. My hope is that The Life We Leave offers a reframing of how we accept mortality, one rooted not in fear, but in care, connection, and continuity." He expressed excitement about partnering with Cinephil to share the film with audiences worldwide.
Cinephil’s upcoming slate includes titles selected for major festivals, such as Molly vs the Machines and River Dreams, alongside future productions like Meital Zvieli’s Shalom and the highly anticipated 2025 film Farruquito: A Flamenco Dynasty.
Co-Managing Directors of Cinephil, Shoshi Korman and Suzanne Nodale, emphasized, “We’re proud to board The Life We Leave, a timely, surprisingly humorous, and intimate film about challenging tradition with humanity. Powerfully reframing what it means to honor life, how we say goodbye, and how we live on.”
Produced by Movement Content and Fishbowl Films in association with Humble Heart Films, The Life We Leave also credits co-producers Andrew Burton and Kyle Seago, with Elisa Bonora and others serving as co-executive producers. The film features an original score by William Ryan Fritch and cinematography by Kyle Seago, contributing to its distinctive visual and auditory experience.
As Cinephil prepares to present the film to domestic and international buyers at SXSW, anticipation builds around this innovative exploration of deathcare and its implications for society.
