In this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we dive into the eye-opening world of Complicated, a powerful new documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Andrew Abrahams.

Premiering at Slamdance in the Unstoppable Section, Complicated exposes the hidden epidemic of children suffering from complex and invisible illnesses, only to be further victimized by a healthcare system that fails them—and, in some cases, accuses their parents of medical child abuse.

Filmed over seven years, Complicated follows families struggling with rare and misunderstood diseases like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that remains largely overlooked by mainstream medicine.

The documentary reveals the heartbreaking reality of children forced to endure chronic pain without proper medical support, parents wrongly accused of harming their kids, and a flawed system that too often denies care instead of providing it.

With deeply personal stories and shocking revelations—including a connection between EDS and cultural icons like Elvis Presley—Complicated sheds light on the devastating consequences of medical gaslighting and systemic neglect.

Andrew Abrahams, the president of Open Eye Pictures, is known for his investigative and visually compelling documentaries, including Under Our Skin, an Academy Award-shortlisted exposé on Lyme disease, and American Justice on Trial, a critically acclaimed film about the landmark trial of Black Panther leader Huey Newton. With Complicated, he brings his signature storytelling approach to a subject that is both urgent and underreported, giving voice to families fighting for medical recognition and justice.

Join Tom Needham as he speaks with Andrew Abrahams about the making of Complicated, the challenges of documenting such a sensitive issue, and what needs to change in our healthcare system to prevent more families from suffering in silence.