'Blood Brother' Premieres on 'Independent Lens' on January 20th

Director Steve Hoover has had a long journey in gaining recognition for his film, Blood Brother. The story of longtime friend Rocky Braat, a young man from a troubled family who left his life behind to travel to India, won the 2013 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury and Audience Awards. And now, for the first time, general audiences will get the chance to finally see the documentary film: on PBS documentary series Independent Lens. Hosted by Stanley Tucci, the episode of Independent Lens featuring the premiere of Blood Brother will air on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 10:00-11:30 PM ET.

Check out the official description for the film below:

Rocky, a young man from a fractured family and a troubled past, went traveling through India without a plan. There he met a group of HIV-positive children living in an orphanage -- a meeting that changed everything for him. Rocky left his life, friends, and career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to live with the kids. Filmmaker Steve Hoover, his best friend, was unsettled and intrigued by this drastic action. In an effort to find out what compelled Rocky to give up every source of stability in his life, Hoover decided to trace Rocky's story, following him to India. He witnessed Rocky and the kids endure disease, abject poverty, and death. But in the midst of these troubles, he also saw their deep joy. And he came to understand why Rocky had given up everything he had to experience it. Blood Brother is a story of friendship and of life stripped down to its essence. Most of all, it is a story about love that endures -- even in the face of death. Blood Brother was funded through donations, and all of the proceeds from the film will be used to support the orphanage and the children with HIV in India, as well as Rocky Braat and his continuing efforts.

For interviews, links, resources, and other information about Blood Brother, you can visit the companion website here. The site also features a Talkback section for viewers to share their ideas and opinions, preview clips from the film, and much more.

Blood Brother premieres Monday, January 20, 2014 at 10:00-11:30 PM ET on PBS.