Burden of Genius

Burden of Genius tells the incredible story of one man who tilted the scales monumentally in favor of mankind in the healthcare battle. Dr. Thomas Starzl, one of the greatest surgeons of the 20th century, saw his mother die of cancer when he was young. Growing up, he was driven by the dream of conquering unbeatable diseases. In what must have seemed like fantasy or science fiction, he revolutionized medicine by being the first to successfully transplant a liver, an organ second in complexity only to the brain. But he was not yet to attain the divine status he deserved. He, who dedicated his whole life to championing collective progress of mankind against diseases, was accused of criminal behavior and investigated by a Federal grand jury. This movie is a reflection on the sacrifices he made to give humanity an unimaginable triumph. (Cinequest Festival)