Outside In – The Film

Outside In is an inspiring documentary about the resiliency of the human spirit, a heroic David and Goliath story told by an energetic young doctor, Katherine “Kasia” Clark.

Diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer at age 42, Kasia was suddenly faced with the mind-boggling survival odds of only 1-2 years. Ten years later, Outside In reveals her dynamic fight to reclaim body and soul,following Kasia from hospital bed to exam rooms and doctor consultations, as she trains for triathlons, makes art movies with her mother, and wins a hefty malpractice suit against the doctors who missed her diagnosis. She takes us through the glory of remission, the agony of recurrence and beyond, seeking answers to profound questions from the unique point of view of a doctor-turned-patient – How can I save myself?  Who can I trust? Who am I now? How do I choose to live? Must I prepare to die?

Through frank discussions with her new team of medical doctors, psychiatrist, physicist father, artist mother, schizophrenic sister, and good friends, Kasia exposes her fears, longings, and hopes. She challenges herself emotionally and physically with risky rock climbs, rigorous swims, and steep ski slopes. She speaks in an articulate, angry, and determined voice. She finds solace in art and nature, vindication in the law, spiritualism in music, and empowerment in filmmaking.

While relying on evidence-based medical treatment and her own experience as a doctor, Kasia steps out of the box to save her life, redefining her identity, professionally and personally, physically, emotionally, and sexually.  She leaves her longtime partner and home in the country to rediscover herself with new people and places, experimenting with mind/body therapies and radical nutritional regimens, always pushing herself physically to solve the mystery of, “How can I be sick if I’m getting stronger?”

Outside In was filmed over nine years and draws from 170 hours of footage, film clips, home movies, still photos, and artwork.  Enhanced by an eclectic, exciting music score, the film reflects the nature and rhythms of a fascinating individual from the “outside in.” Viewers are left to ponder Kasia’s future, along with fresh thoughts and feelings about healing, identity, and their own way of life, guided by the wisdom of Henry David Thoreau: You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.

FYI: Nearly five years after the completion of Outside In, Kasia remains in long-term remission, feeling lucky to be living a rich and fulfilling life and shining a unique light on surviving and thriving.