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| Movie Review: Living in Emergency Alternate Title: Doctor Yes
Story: The next time you receive
a mailing from Doctors Without Borders (Medecins
Sans Frontieres) please do not throw it away. Instead, take out
your checkbook and write them a hefty check. Director Mark N.
Hopkins, in his new documentary, Living in Emergency,
follows four brave doctors for two years in war torn Liberia and the
Congo.
We get to see the conditions that these volunteers
operate under and some of the visuals are hard to take. The first part
of the film finds us in the operating rooms (if you can call them that)
watching them perform under dire circumstances. The rest of the film
concentrates on the humanitarian aid doctors themselves and we get to
watch, first person, as they struggle emotionally, mentally and physically
under terrible conditions.
The film was shot over two years. It is not a
great film and it is not a fundraising tool but the subject matter is
of such importance that you will want to send them money for their fine
work. Acting: Since this is a documentary there is no acting,.
The brave doctors include: Chris Brasher, Davinder
Gill, Tom Krueger, Chiara Lepora
Trivia: From the MSF website: Doctors Without Borders/Médecins
Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian
organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. MSF's
work is based on the humanitarian principles of medical ethics and impartiality.
The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people
caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
MSF operates independently of any political, military, or religious
agendas. Today, MSF provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose
survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily
due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health
care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance
to those most in need. MSF reserves the right to speak out to bring
attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of
the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and
protocols. Predilection: I support this organization and also
like documentaries.
Critters: Livestock
Visual Art: These war torn countries are very difficult
to look upon.
Theater Audience: We see this at a documentary film
festival at the IFC theater in Manhattan. There were about 20 other
people watching with us. Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 4
Drift Factor: It could have been edited and tightened.
Predictability Level: Sadly, high
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps
Length: Under two hours LOBO HOWLS: 7 |