Yes Studios, the Tel Aviv-based creator and distributor renowned for “Fauda,” has clinched significant agreements for “44 Hours,” a gripping documentary centering on Gil Avni. Avni, a robust 33-year-old father of two, confronted the startling diagnosis of cerebral edema, experiencing an astonishing recovery.
Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. and NRK in Norway, spanning both linear channels and VOD platforms, has secured rights to the feature-length documentary. Additionally, the documentary has been licensed to DocEdge Virtual Cinema, a year-round platform supporting the influential Doc Edge Festival in New Zealand.
Earlier this year, “44 Hours” achieved stellar ratings on Yes TV and secured a spot in the Top 10 titles on Netflix in Israel. Yes Studios oversees the global distribution for this compelling documentary.
The narrative of “44 Hours” unfolds the poignant odyssey of Avni, rushed to the hospital during a sudden illness. Initially deemed brain-dead with mere hours to live, Avni bid farewell to his loved ones. Unbeknownst to everyone, Avni remained cognizant of his surroundings, hearing every uttered word. Upon being revived, Avni presented the world’s inaugural firsthand account of locked-in syndrome—a state where bodily and facial muscles are paralyzed, yet consciousness persists—a rarity with only three documented cases globally.
Featuring interviews with the now fully recovered Avni, his family, and the medical team, the documentary sheds light on a case that triggered pivotal changes in medical ethics and protocols for patients navigating the delicate threshold between life and death.
“Yes Docu,” led by Rotem Gross and Einat-Hana Shamir, spearheaded the production of “44 Hours.” The documentary was co-produced in collaboration with Neue Celluloid Fabrik Filmproduktion and SWR in Germany, along with cooperation from ARTE in France.
