P.O.V. Alums: Eric Daniel Metzgar's New Film Life. Support. Music.

May 7, 2008 10:58 AM, by Ruiyan Xu

Eric Daniel Metzgar, along with Nell Carden Grey, directed The Chances of the World Changing, which aired on P.O.V. in 2007. The film, a beautiful meditation on an individual's efforts to change the world, follows Richard Ogust, who shared his Manhattan loft with 1,200 turtles and dedicated his life to rescuing the endangered animals. Viewer comments and emails poured in after the film aired — it was clear that The Chances of the World Changing had struck a chord. Eric was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in 2007.

We were excited to hear that Eric's second documentary film, Life. Support. Music., has just begun the film festival circuit. The film is about Eric's friend, Jason Crigler, one of New York City's most sought-after guitarists. In August 2004, Jason suffered a brain hemorrhage during a concert. That night at the hospital, the doctors told Jason's family — if he makes it through the night, there won't be much left of him. Jason's wife, Monica, pregnant at the time, froze: "Everything completely stopped. I forgot all about the pregnancy. I think I left my body. I remember thinking, 'This cannot be true. I cannot go on without Jason.'"

Days passed, and Jason's family was forced to accept the new dark reality at hand. But they refused to accept the bleak future described by doubtful doctors. So in the face of wrenching despair and horrifying odds, the Criglers made a resolution — Jason would make a full recovery. And thus began the long, grueling, implausible and mystifying journey chronicled in Life. Support. Music.

Watch a trailer for the film:

So far, Life. Support. Music. has screened at Full Frame, Hot Docs, and other festivals, and recently won the Audience Choice Award at the Boston Independent Film Festival. To find out more information, visit the website for the film.

Eric is currently editing his third directorial effort — a feature documentary called Reporter: On the Ground with Nick Kristof. In the summer of 2007, he traveled with two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof through Rwanda and Congo. Eric also photographed this Stick Figure Productions film.

Eric has also recently completed a short documentary, Beholder, as part of Hot Docs' International Documentary Challenge. The film won the "Original Vision Award," as well as "Best Writing" and "Best Use of First Person."

We're looking forward to watching Life. Support. Music. To keep up with Eric's work, visit the website for his production company, Merigold Moving Pictures.

Tags: P.O.V. Alums, music