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Since 1975 American filmmaker David Sonnenschein has been producing and directing films to expand our consciousness, maximize our potential and heal the planet. Trained as a classical musician, photographer, sculptor and dancer, Sonnenschein received his B.A. in Neurobiology and worked in the V.A. Hospital sleep laboratory to publish research articles on the physiological correlates to daydreaming. He then directed the educational film "PHAGE LAMBDA" for U.C. San Diego that utilized some of the first computer generated imagery in the world. At the same time he began studying Aikido and its healing art Kiatsu, which developed his capacity to work with the body’s subtle energies, as well as to treat physical ailments.

Following a calling to the Orient to shoot a documentary about the Balinese mask dance, Sonnenschein lived a year on this magical island, apprenticing with a master mask carver. Upon returning to the U.S., he earned a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities to direct "LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: A BALINESE-OREGON ADAPTATION", that tells the story using unique time-lapse photography of the creation of the characters’ wooden masks, with a Balinese musical score and the Big Bad Wolf, both performed by the filmmaker himself.

Garnering international awards with this film, Sonnenschein was accepted into the Masters program at U.S.C. Cinema School, where he was selected to direct his thesis film "THE OWL’S FLIGHT". His story of Mexican shamanism and the cure offered by a valuable sacred mask, was awarded the Verna Field Trophy for Best Student Film by the Motion Picture Sound Editor’s Union.

Moving to Rio de Janeiro in 1985 to form his production company Crystal Vision (link), Sonnenschein directed his first feature "SUPER XUXA" with Brazil’s top TV star Xuxa Meneghel. The family fantasy adventure with healing crystals and environmental consciousness became the third largest box office of the year selling 2.8 million tickets in Brazil and was distributed by Columbia Tri-Star throughout Latin America. He has produced five more features in Brazil, including the top film of 1990, "CRYSTAL MOON", with 5 million tickets sold.

Sonnenschein began researching Rubens Faria, who channels Dr. Fritz the most famous trance surgeon in Brazil, and directed the 90 min. documentary "DR. FRITZ - HEALING THE BODY AND SPIRIT" (link), which is considered internationally a significant investigation into energy healing, trance channeling and spirituality.

Currently he is developing an English-speaking feature film "THE KNIFE AND THE ROSE", based on the life story of Ze Arigo, the first medium to channel Dr. Fritz. With the collaboration of 14 family members who have granted exclusive rights to their story, this will be the first film to portray the extraordinary relationship between a medium and spirit entity, allowing the audience a unique insight into the drama, courage and profound transformation of one of the greatest healers of our time.