An intimate journey of a 37-year-old Cristina, as fate brings to her life both a new love and an unbeatable challenge.

Determined to pass on a message of hope and a 'live in the now' mentality, Cristina's second cancer takes a toll on her diminishing body, however her love for Bruce only grows. Bruce stands by her side while juggling work and financial strains.

The film follows Cristina's journey into her deep AMOUR, one that supports and lifts her up. If she had to choose between finding this deep and pure love and having cancer, or being cancer free but never experiencing true love... what would she choose? Her shocking answers are captured by veteran filmmaker Michèle Ohayon on camera.

This is the story of a persistent love and a persistent disease that has taken yet another victim. Cristina provides deep insight into the life of an amazing woman, a symbol of love and the will to live-- a role model for all of us.

When my friend Cristina was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, she asked me to film her. Although she was a script supervisor and knew film, I reminded her what it meant to have a camera in her face and a constant presence through this difficult journey. But she was adamant. Cristina wanted to send a message to the world, in her own words: Live Now. I told her I would do it if she promised me a happy ending.

Armed with my little HDcam and as much strength as I could muster, I began to film what turned out to be the most intimate and difficult film I’ve ever made.

The doctors gave Cristina two to five years to live. I thought I had more time than what ended up being a short journey.

In the seven years that Cristina was married to my best friend Bruce, she was in and out of hospitals for four years. It was hard to grapple with the unfairness of this all, with a disease that affects many families and destroys one's body, cell by cell.

Five months after I started filming, with only 20 hours of footage of this remarkable woman’s fight, my camera had to shut off.

I was not emotionally able to view the footage for three years.

As harrowing as the experience was, and without a happy ending, I am committed to living my life to its fullest each and every moment. Cristina was the brave soul and beautiful spirit that reminded me of that through her love and appreciation for life. That's what I am here to share with you, with all of us.

A Film by Michèle Ohayon • 39 min • Documentary • Completed 2016

An intimate journey of a 37-year-old Cristina, as fate brings to her life both a new love and an unbeatable challenge.

Determined to pass on a message of hope and a 'live in the now' mentality, Cristina's second cancer takes a toll on her diminishing body, however her love for Bruce only grows. Bruce stands by her side while juggling work and financial strains.

The film follows Cristina's journey into her deep AMOUR, one that supports and lifts her up. If she had to choose between finding this deep and pure love and having cancer, or being cancer free but never experiencing true love... what would she choose? Her shocking answers are captured by veteran filmmaker Michèle Ohayon on camera.

This is the story of a persistent love and a persistent disease that has taken yet another victim. Cristina provides deep insight into the life of an amazing woman, a symbol of love and the will to live-- a role model for all of us.

‘It was a Wonderful Life’ (1987), narrated by Jodie Foster with music by Melissa Etheridge, aired on PBS and OXYGEN, won the Gold Award at the Houston Film Festival and an IDA nomination.

‘Colors Straight Up’ (1997), received nominations for the 1997 Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature, the DGA’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement, the IFP Spirit Award, and the Golden Spire Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival, as well as 11 national awards. ‘Colors Straight Up’ also aired on PBS and all over the world.

‘Cowboy del Amor’ (2005), was WGA and IDA nominated and won both Jury and Audience Awards at the SXSW festival, as well as Best Documentary at Santa Fe, Durango and Cinefest. It aired on Showtime.

‘Steal a Pencil for Me’ (2007), a production collaboration with NETFLIX, opened at the Berlinale in 2008, screened at the United Nations, garnered the Audience Award at Sonoma Film Festival and the Yad Vashem Chairman Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival. The film was honored at the Spirit of Anne Frank Awards and nominated for the IDA ABC/Video Source Award 2007. It aired on PBS’ Independent Lens.

‘S.O.S/State of Security’ (2011), opened at the Berlin Film Festival, showed at the Moma and Georgetown, and is utilized as an educational tool for National Security awareness and for policy makers. It was chosen to be part of the IDA Academy qualifier theatrical showcase at the Laemmle theaters 2012.

‘Solar Roadways’ (2012), a short environmental documentary that Michèle produced and directed in 2012 as part of the FOCUS FORWARD series, opened at the Tribeca Film festival, Big Eddy, Madeira. Warsaw and Anchorage film festival. It was chosen to participate in the GOOGLE X talks and continues to travel.

‘Cristina’ (2016), Directed by Michèle Ohayon. An intimate journey of a 37 year old Cristina, as fate brings to her life both a new love and an unbeatable challenge. Will be shown on Netflix.

‘Power’ (2016), in Post production, Co-Director. A documentary feature connecting the dots of energy- from a small village in Uganda, to the super powers of the west. www.powerthemovie.com