“Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet” is a feature-length documentary that tells the extraordinary story of Jason Becker. Jason, a musical prodigy and guitar legend, who has been battling with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for 22 years. The film charts the life of Jason Becker – from his early years learning guitar, to wowing fellow students with his prowess at the talent show, to being chosen as guitarist in David Lee Roth’s band. At the age of 19, Jason was set to become the hottest guitarist in the world. One week later the diagnosis was made and doctors gave him 3–5 years to live. 20 years later he is still making music and still very much alive. A paralyzing, terminal illness with no cure, the disease has trapped Jason inside of his body. Using an eye communication system invented by his father, Jason is able to escape the confines of his body and release the music that is trapped inside of his mind. “Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet” is an inspiring story of dreams, love and the strength of the human spirit.

Awards:

2012 – Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature and Special Jury Prize at the Cinequest Film Festival (San Jose, USA).
2012 – Best Feature Documentary Award at the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (USA).
2012 – Honorary Mention for outstanding achievement in music at the Newport Beach Film Festival (USA)
2012 – Grand Jury Prize at the Biografilm Festival (Bologna, Italy)

About the director:

Filmmaker and producer Jesse Vile was born in 1981 in Philadelphia, USA. He trained in film production in Philadelphia before moving to London (United Kingdom) to work in feature film development. He later took the job as producer of the Raindance Film Festival for three successful years. Jesse Vile has directed and produced shorts and promos that have screened at film festivals in the US and United Kingdom. Inspired by Jason Becker‘s life, Jesse Vile, an avid guitar player and a big fan of guitar music, wanted to make a film about him since he was in film school. “Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet” is his first feature length film.