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Medicine Under the Influence
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Description
Erwan, Caroline, Vincent, and Charlie-Anne are survivors: against all odds, modern medicine kept them alive through extreme measures taken just after their birth. Since then, they have suffered from serious neurological consequences and a range of disabilities. Technology can now work miracles to save lives. But at what price?
Medicine Under the Influence tackles a taboo subject: the tragic effects of life-sustaining medical treatment on infants. Through the courageous testimony of a handful of doctors and therapists as well as the shocking stories told by devoted parents of disabled children, Lina B. Moreco's powerful documentary denounces the lack of support offered to science's little "miracles." Once saved, the children are more or less left to their fate by a medical system that does not give them the therapy needed to improve their quality of life and develop to their fullest potential.
With its heart-tugging characters, this troubling yet essential film opens our eyes to an intolerable situation, one that affects some 2,000 newborns every year in Quebec.
Bonus Features
Interview with Dr. Pierre Marois, Physiatrist
Interview with Dr. Claude Mercier, Clinical bioethics committee
Interview with Me Jean-Pierre Ménard, health lawyer
In French with English subtitles.
2004, 77 min 03 s
Awards
Gemeaux Award for Best Documentary: Nature & Sciences
Prix Gémeaux
December 9 2006, Montréal - Canada
2nd Prize - Category: Medical Film
ImagéSanté - International Health Film Festival
March 13 to 18 2006, Liège - Belgium
