Next Monday, April 4, the Balboa Theater is screening a new documentary called “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead”.
It’s the story of Australian Joe Cross who was topping out at 310 pounds and battling a debilitating autoimmune disease. The film documents Joe’s journey to regain his health, which evolves into a mission to help a kindred spirit – an obese, American truck driver with the same disease – battle the same demons.
With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long-term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body’s ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle.
While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it’s at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well.
Joe Cross himself will be at the Balboa for the screening, which begins at 7pm; tickets are $10 and can be purchased online in advance. Joe will stick around afterwards to discuss his film with audience members.
Sarah B.