Remembering Robin Williams

Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 memoir
of the same title. It tells the true story of British neurologist Oliver
Sacks, fictionalized as American Malcolm Sayer and portrayed by Robin
Williams who, in 1969, discovers beneficial effects of the then-new drug
L-Dopa. He administered it to catatonic patients who survived the 1917–28
epidemic of encephalitis lethargica. Leonard Lowe (played by Robert De Niro)
and the rest of the patients were awakened after decades of catatonia and
have to deal with a new life in a new time. The film was nominated for three
Academy Awards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awakenings

Trailer (2:46):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAz-prw_W2A

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Scientific American Blog

Robin Williams’ Comedic Genius Was Not a Result of Mental Illness, but His
  Suicide Was
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/2014/08/12/robin-williams-comedic-genius-was-not-a-result-of-mental-illness-but-his-suicide-was/

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Related and Current:

Alive Inside is a joyous cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to
reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity. Filmmaker
Michael Rossato-Bennett chronicles the astonishing experiences of individuals
around the country who have been revitalized through the simple experience of
listening to music. His camera reveals the uniquely human connection we find
in music and how its healing power can triumph where prescription medication
falls short.

This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the
nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken
healthcare system to demonstrate music’s ability to combat memory loss and
restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. Rossato-Bennett
visits family members who have witnessed the miraculous effects of
personalized music on their loved ones, and offers illuminating interviews
with experts including renowned neurologist and best-selling author Oliver
Sacks (Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain) and musician Bobby
McFerrin (“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”).

Opens August 21st

http://www.aliveinside.us/

Trailer (2:17):
http://www.aliveinside.us/#trailer

Man in Nursing Home Reacts to Hearing Music from His Era (video 6:29)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZQf0p73QM

Music & Memory
http://musicandmemory.org/