Judith, a teenage songwriter with late-stage kidney disease, and James, a suicidal young guitarist, find solace and hope in each other’s music in a small Colorado town, discovering that their connection could save them both.

SYNOPSIS:

"A Life in Thin Air"

By Daniel Silvas

(206)953-1022 or daniel.silvas.wa@outlook.com

Logline: Judith, a teenage songwriter with late-stage kidney disease, and James, a suicidal young guitarist, find solace and hope in each other’s music in a small Colorado town, discovering that their connection could save them both.

A young family faces a life-altering diagnosis. Judith, a gifted teenage songwriter, needs a transplant. Hidden from her family behind an angsty façade, her music rivals many of the best contemporary artists and her lyrics are poignant, describing the depth of her struggle as she searches for independence. The illness, however, sets off a chain reaction, challenging the family's life.

Stefanie, Judith's mother, battles stress and mental health. Her frailty is palpable as she fails to connect with Judith as she once had.

James, a young guitarist set adrift by tragedy, unexpectedly enters their lives when he runs out of gas in their small Colorado town. His songwriting is an outlet that pierces his depression. Judith and James find each other when he hears her music echoing through the thin air. They bond over music, and James encourages Judith to share her music online, gaining her some recognition.

Stefanie connects with James when he visits her coffee shop to avoid the cold. She makes it her mission to help him as an excuse to hide from her own problems, a consistent comfort that her ex, Eric, disapproves of.

The tension between Judith and Stefanie grows, revealing Stefanie's mental health struggles. James reluctantly becomes a supportive figure for Judith. Although, he hides secrets. James suffers from hypoxia, and the suicide of his fiancée is still fresh in his memory. He has come to the small mountain town to end his life.

Judith seeks support to intervene in Stefanie’s manic behavior. James believes he’s the last one that should be involved and dodges her request. Judith doesn’t understand his mixed reactions as in one moment he brings a possible solution but won’t be the voice she desperately needs to bring connection between her and her mother.

James is running out of time as the hypoxia filters through and complicates everything. He decides to help Judith break through to Stefanie. But Judith’s condition worsens leading to an eventful rush to the hospital to save her. Her final moments are pressing as it’s now or never for her transplant. Her kidneys are failing.

Stefanie discovers that James has been trying to kill himself in the thin air. The trip to the hospital has landed James attached to oxygen machines to treat his weak condition. This is when, of all people, Eric, Stefanie’s ex, lends a word to James about his mixed actions. James should have avoided this family, but he decided to help. Is he really someone that wants to give up?

James makes the ultimate decision to be the transplant that Judith needs despite the risks but she will only accept it if he finds the strength to keep fighting. During the transplant, James flatlines and the doctors and nurses need to save him.

At the edge of a new chapter filled with hope and optimism, Judith is adjusting to her changing life. The song she’s posted online is becoming a success.

Some time later, Judith waits to appear on stage to perform. The packed small venue can be heard anxiously awaiting her. James steps to her side from behind to ask if she’s ready.

A LIFE IN THIN AIR