When filmmaker Ramin Bahrani came across an article spotlighting the challenges faced by the Health Wagon, he was spurred to investigate the state of health care in Southwest Virginia.
His goal was to film a short documentary exploring the rural health care crisis in the U.S. through the eyes of those struggling to receive care and the providers trying to reach them.
Featuring our staff and patients of the Health Wagon, filming started in 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was finally completed in 2022. Called “If Dreams Were Lightning: Rural Healthcare Crisis,” the documentary has been nominated for an Oscar. It’s currently available to watch on PBS.org.
The film will air on PBS in March, following a viewing in Nashville.
Bahrani is an Academy Award, BAFTA, WGA, and Emmy nominated filmmaker. He worked on “If Dreams Were Lightning” along with experienced producers Jason Orans and Pamela Ryan.
In the Media:
“Movie Examines American Dream Through the Lens of Diminishing Rural Healthcare”
“Documentary shortlisted Oscars explores rural health care crisis”
“Belcourt Hosting Screening of Documentary ‘If Dreams Were Lightning: Rural Healthcare Crisis’”
