The Documentary That Everyone Must See

The energy is electric. All eyes are on the musician upfront as he plays his guitar and sings song after song onstage at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. People are swaying to his words. But the night isn’t about him. The night is about others—including a young boy, whom the musician introduces as Eli. The crowd looks up to see Eli sitting with his family. Everyone claps. The musician plays his next song in recognition of the boy and his lifelong battle.

This scene is one of countless heartfelt moments in the new documentary Matter of Time, which explores efforts to cure the rare genetic disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa, also known as EB. Eli is one of the estimated 500,000 people worldwide who have the rare disease. People with EB lack specific proteins that bind the skin's layers, causing tearing and blistering, often leading to severe pain, disfigurement, and internal and external wounds that cannot heal.  

EB is horrific. The most severe forms of it result in a life expectancy from infancy to age 30. There is no cure, and too little conversation about it.

But that is changing thanks to the musician onstage, Eddie Vedder, and his wife, Jill Vedder. The Vedders cofounded EB Research Partnership (EBR) a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding research, treatments, and a cure. Matter of Time takes us on a journey of their efforts and those of a dedicated team of doctors and scientists. Anchored in Eddie’s charity concerts supporting EBR, the film is about hope, humanity, dedication, and love.

And again, it’s about Eli.

And Deanna. And Rowan. And Charlie. And the hundreds of thousands of people living with EB, eager for a cure.

Matter of Time is one of the most important documentaries today. It offers something unparalleled:

• Education about EB
• A moral uplift thanks to the courageous people living it, and to the families and doctors who support them
• A front row seat to an Eddie Vedder concert
• And the beautiful proof of how mountains can be moved when people open their hearts together

Since founding EB Research Partnership, the Vedders and team have raised more than $80 million to support research, which has led to three FDA-approved treatments and more than 25 active clinical trials. These activists and families will not give up. They will sing and fight and gather until there is a cure.

And after watching Matter of Time, we believe you will too.

Watch Matter of Time on Netflix here. And learn more about EB Research Partnership here.