This new REI short film might inspire you to run, but it will definitely make you cry

"Though profoundly sad, the film, directed by Sam Price-Waldman, is also thoughtfully inspiring. We see Shaver on his good days, running and spending time with his brother and mom. We see him on his bad days, at the hospital for chemo, or pulling out his hair at home as a result of his treatments. Smiling on the road. Crying at the kitchen table. It's a quiet film, built on moments of happiness and hardship."

"Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of the project is that it's produced by REI, and Shaver works at the outdoor retailer's San Antonio store (as do his mother and brother). Up until now, The Life We Have has been screened only at film festivals, but on February 18 the brand is launching the film on its website and YouTube channel."

"While REI Studios has done more traditional outdoors action-based work, it's also produced more narrative-based work like Frybread Face and Me. Executive produced by Taika Waititi, the comedy-drama is about a boy who spends a summer with his grandmother on a Navajo reservation. REI Studios also put out Canary, a documentary feature that follows adventurer and climate scientist Lonnie Thompson."

Rob Shaver, a 49-year-old retail worker, has lived with Stage 4 bone and lung cancer for more than 20 years and recently maintained a streak of running at least one mile every day for three years. The Life We Have portrays moments of Shaver’s life on good days—running and spending time with his brother and mother—and on bad days—hospital chemotherapy visits and treatment side effects like pulling out hair—through quiet scenes of joy and hardship. The film, directed by Sam Price-Waldman, is produced by REI and will launch on REI’s website and YouTube after festival screenings. Shaver and his store manager cold-called REI Studios, and Paolo Mottola, REI’s VP of brand marketing, supported production. REI Studios has produced both outdoors action work and narrative and documentary projects such as Frybread Face and Me and Canary.

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