People / TV

A new, devastating Robin Williams documentary is coming soon

robin-williams

This article discusses themes of suicide and mental illness, If you are struggling, call Lifeline on 13 11 12 or BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636 for 24/7 counselling if you are in crisis.

Almost six years since we lost comedic genius Robin Williams to suicide, leaving Hollywood and the hearts of many never the same, a powerful trailer has been released for the upcoming documentary titled Robin’s Wish, detailing Williams’ final days, and recounting his recently discovered battle with Lewy Body Dementia, a debilitating neurological disease.

The film is set to be released on September 1 where his final days are to be explored through a journalistic lens, providing some upsetting closure explaining the root of his pain. The filmmakers of the documentary explain, “For the first time, Robin’s fight against a deadly neurodegenerative disorder, known as Lewy Body Dementia, is shown in stunning detail. Through a gripping journalistic lens, this incredible story sheds an entirely new light on the tragedy, beauty and power behind the mind of one of the greatest entertainers of all time.”.

“During the last year of his life, Robin was confronted with anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, scary altered realities and a roller coaster of hope and despair. With our medical team’s care, we chased a relentless parade of symptoms but with very little gain. It wasn’t until after Robin’s passing, in autopsy, that the source of his terror was revealed: he had diffuse Lewy body disease. It was one of the worst cases medical professionals had seen,” Susan Schneider Williams, Williams' widow has said in a statement. The documentary has led her on a path to advocate and spread awareness on the neurological disease, and ultimately come to work with Tylor Norwood, director of the documentary.

“I set out on a mission to understand it, and that led me down my unchosen path of advocacy. With invaluable help from leading medical experts, I saw that what Robin and I had gone through finally made sense — our experience matched up with the science. And what I discovered along the way was bigger than me, and bigger than Robin. The full story was revealed during the making of this film and it holds the truth that Robin and I had been searching for.” She says.

The trailer shows snippets from his long career and features interviews and clips with the many people who's lives Williams' touched. Just make sure the tissues are close before pressing play.

Image credit: @robinwilliams