Music Got Me Here (2017)

The tale of Music Got Me Here unfolds with a chilling accident on the snowboarding slopes, rendering 18-year-old Forrest locked within himself, unable to articulate or move. A near-fatal brain injury marks the beginning of a two-year battle for survival, pitting the youth against his own body. Enter Tom, a quirky music therapist carrying the weight of a tumultuous childhood, who takes on the colossal task of unlocking Forrest from his internal prison. Dressed in whimsical costumes, Tom weaves a symphony of silly songs, relentlessly pursuing a response from the impassive Forrest. Months of silence pass until one day, Forrest conveys a simple plea through his Dynavox, typed with a single finger: "Please help me find my voice." Inspired, Tom begins the arduous journey of teaching Forrest to breathe, then hum. Over time, the hums evolve into words, and soon enough, Forrest is articulating sentences and crooning full songs, reclaiming his voice and life from the clutches of his condition. However, Forrest's path to recovery is strewn with medical hurdles. Shortly past his 21st birthday, a severe infection mandates the removal of the prosthetic shield safeguarding his brain, where a significant portion of his skull was once excised. This leaves Forrest vulnerable, his speech becomes muddled, and his survival hangs in the balance. As the clock races, surgeons at Johns Hopkins Hospital propose a pioneering surgery, yet to be performed on a civilian, offering a glimmer of hope, albeit laden with risk. Shot over five years, Music Got Me Here is a testament to the transformative and healing power of music. It's a story of resilience, a story of miraculous recovery, and a story that sings the praises of the human spirit.

Music Got Me Here is a documentary movie featuring Forrest Allen and directed by Susan Koch.

Music Got Me Here is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Music Got Me Here on Amazon Video and Apple TV.