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THE LIFE WE LEAVE
by JJ Gerber
SYNOPSIS
When Washington state became the first in the world to legalize human composting, entrepreneur Micah Truman puts it all on the line to build the world's first large-scale terramation facility. But when the conventional deathcare industry resists, he is forced to pivot, and must learn to care for the grieving while transforming his company. Thanks to Funeral Directors, Brie Smith and Katey Houston, he begins to understand the true meaning of his new business. What begins as an ambitious venture becomes personal as they rediscover human connection, ritual, and legacy.
DETAILS
87 mins
2026
USA
English
CREDITS
Directed & Produced by JJ Gerber
Produced by Clementine Briand, Ann Rogers, Melanie Miller
Executive Producer: Rocky Collins
Executive Producers: Mark Reed, David J. and Linda A. Cornfield
Co-Executive Producers: Elisa Borona, Paddy McCaughey
Co-Executive Producer: Diane Becker
Supervising Editor: Elisa Borona, ACE
Edited by Sandy Jeglum, Giordano Bonora Groome
Director of Photography: Kyle Seago
Music by William Ryan Fritch
BIOGRAPHY
DIRECTOR - JJ GERBER
JJ Gerber is a two-time Emmy nominated creative producer and storyteller. JJ’s feature
documentary credits include the 2024 News & Doc Emmy Nominated Omoiyari: A Song Film by
Kishi Bashi (MTV Docs 2023) Harmontown (SXSW 2014) and We Are Blood (The Orchard 2015).
He was a consulting producer on the feature film Beauty Is Embarrassing (SXSW 2014), helping
with the strategy and implementation of a hybrid distribution model with Future You Media. The
Life We Leave is JJ’s directorial debut.
JJ started MOVEMENT CONTENT in 2017 to create visceral non-fiction media at the intersection of
pop-culture and social impact. Under the banner he has produced two feature documentary films,
A Song Film by Kishi Bashi: Omoiyari (MTV Documentary Films, 2023) and The Life We Leave (SXSW
2026). Movement Content also produced multiple music videos for indiepop dreamboats
Generationals, an immersive gallery experience for The Seattle Symphony, and a TedEd award
winning short documentary for Seattle based non-profit Densho.
On the side JJ is active in community building through his role as the board president of Seattle
Documentary Association. He is an active member of the PGA and DPA.
SELECT FESTIVALS
SXSW 2026
PRESS
"Fascinating"
"Thought-provoking"
— Screen Zealots
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