Recovery Mission
Feature Documentary
A filmmaker and multiple sclerosis survivor publicly promotes hope and recovery while privately descending into alcoholism. Parallel to his struggle is the story of a couple navigating the devastating progression of MS. Together, their stories form an intimate documentary about addiction, chronic illness, and the many forms recovery can take.
Project Type: Feature Documentary
Runtime: 91 Minutes
Status: Complete
Licensing Rights: Worldwide Rights Available
Recovery Mission is an unflinchingly honest documentary that follows Mathew Embry, a filmmaker living with multiple sclerosis, through two parallel journeys of recovery: from MS and from the alcoholism that nearly destroyed his life during the making of his film, Living Proof.
The story begins with Mathew's 1995 MS diagnosis and his father Ashton Embry's research into alternative treatments. By developing the "MS Best Bet Diet" and a high-dose vitamin D regimen, Ashton gave Mathew the tools he needed to live over twenty years without symptoms and without conventional MS medication. This success became the foundation for Living Proof, a feature documentary directed by Mathew that played to sold-out audiences at its TIFF premiere.
Behind the scenes, however, the stress of making Living Proof, touring the world, and challenging the medical establishment took a devastating toll. Within three months of touring, Mathew spirals from social drinking to stage-three alcoholism without anyone realizing the extent of his struggle. Recovery Mission captures this raw deterioration alongside his advocacy work, creating a complex portrait of a man fighting for his life on multiple fronts.
The narrative weaves between Mathew's current recovery journey and archival footage from his documentary tour, revealing how the pressure of being a public face for MS nearly killed him, even as the world saw only his success.
Interspersed throughout are testimonials from MS patients who have found hope through Mathew's work. Running parallel to his story is the journey of Michael and Leilanie Marianetti, a couple facing severe MS-related debilitation who make dramatic improvements through alternative treatments, offering an emotional counterpoint to Mathew's personal struggles.
The film reaches its devastating climax with the revelation of his mother's death and the collapse of his family relationships, forcing Mathew to confront generational trauma, abuse, and addiction patterns that span multiple generations.
Recovery Mission culminates with hard-won wisdom about breaking cycles of trauma while maintaining the courage to help others find hope in their darkest moments.
