Produced by October Films, the documentary will celebrate the life of the breast cancer campaigner who passed away in May 2024.
For 15 years, Kris bravely battled stage four cancer, challenging societal norms about life and death, and inspiring countless individuals along the way.
Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, said:
“Kris was a hugely inspirational woman who had a great impact on the many people who live with cancer by helping to raise awareness, and the importance of being checked early. I would like to say a huge thanks to Kris’s family for entrusting us to now tell this chapter of her story.”
October Films and Neil Bonner previously produced and directed the 2014 BBC One documentary Kris: Dying to Live, which followed Kris and her twin sister Maren building the fastest growing charity in Europe, Coppafeel, and sharing her unique philosophy on living with cancer. Her humour, energy and bravery captured the imagination of viewers and reminded millions to make sure they took regular medical check-ups.
Now, Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story (w/t) reveals the fullest story of Kris’ remarkable approach to life and death. It includes family archive of Kris and Maren’s childhoods from the moment of their births, diary footage shot by Kris and Maren throughout their campaigning activities and beyond, and hours of powerful and celebratory scenes filmed by Neil Bonner over the past 10 years including the final weeks of her life; a time when the incredible bond she and Maren have shared since the womb enables them to find solace and joy in spite of the hardship.
Family members and friends, including Fearne Cotton and Dawn French, also describe what Kris meant to them personally and reflect on her status as an iconic British woman.
Neil Bonner, Director, October Films said;
“Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story (w/t) is an intimate and celebratory film exploring Kris’s irrepressible spirit as she confronts mortality in her own unique way. It will be emotionally hard-hitting as well as touching, heartfelt and funny. I want it to be a life-affirming documentary which turns hopelessness on its head and leaves us with Kris’ unique understanding of what it means to live and die.”
Living Every Second: The Kris Hallenga Story will air on BBC Two and iPlayer in October.
