Pulse

Director Kirsten Johnson uses intimate footage of her aging parents and their profound medical challenges to explore themes of life, death, and the human experience. The film weaves together personal moments with broader reflections on mortality, empathy, and connection, offering a deeply personal yet universally resonant look at vulnerability and love.

Pulse was widely praised by critics for its raw honesty, emotional depth, and unique cinematic approach. Reviewers lauded Kirsten Johnson's directorial skill in handling sensitive subject matter with grace and intimacy, highlighting its power to provoke introspection on universal themes of life and death.

• Emotionally resonant and profoundly moving.

• A unique and intimate exploration of mortality and connection.

• Masterfully crafted documentary that is both personal and universal.

Google audience: Audiences found Pulse to be a deeply affecting and thought-provoking film, praising its honest portrayal of family and the aging process. Many were moved by the director's vulnerability and the film's ability to foster empathy and contemplation on life's most profound questions.

Won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Nominated for Best Documentary at the 2019 Independent Spirit Awards.

The footage used in 'Pulse' was primarily shot by director Kirsten Johnson herself over several years, capturing intimate moments with her parents as they navigated serious health issues.