SBMar 5th, 2008 - 14:16:31

'In the end, the film is a celebration of the dignity of women.'

In the end, yes, Ron Wilkinson, I WOULD like to see a film of women struggling to overcome complex difficulties. Actually, I DID see this film, which was incontrovertibly moving and informative of this health disaster for so many women. I was GLAD know that there is some hope, that there is a hospital where the women can be treated, and even that the hospital is a scarce resource. And then you know what happened? My family made a contribution to that hospital. Why would your reviewer say that this is not a message we want to hear? Of suffering and how to help; of another mind-set, strikingly different in terms of marriage, the role that physical labor during youth plays in stunting growth, gender roles, lack of education, lack of medical care, etc.? Your reviewer makes nasty gratuitous asides, but they are empty. For example, he says the photography was good, but not better than the written word - do we only have one medium & we must choose? And his comment that 'National Geographic does it better' - did National Geographic do a film about fistulas? To see a film present anthropological information in a way that spurs you on from education to action is documentary making in the highest service. The same cannot be said for the quality of RW's review.

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Ron WilkinsonMar 15th, 2008 - 22:12:10

As much as I enjoy fistula, I prefer leprosy films. They are much more biblical.

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JuliaJul 8th, 2008 - 15:04:26

I have to agree with Ron.

I worked in the women's reproductive health community and this film is indeed an informcial for the hospital. To say it is, is fine, but to disguise it as an independent documentary film - for arts sake - is blatantly incorrect.

Also, something many individuals don't know...The Fistula Foundation which funds this hospital provided funding for the film. They also get 100% of the profits from the film. So, where's the incentive for making an objective film.

Obstetric fistula is a tragic condition that affects women around the world and its unfortunate that this particular hospital - which does great work but which also monopolizes the funding and media attention in the 'fistula world' - is the one that receives the attention and public funding. Sadly, obstetric fistula doesn't only occur in Ethiopia and it sure isn't treated in a fancy hospital with flowers in other African countries.

Thank you Ron for not buying into the 'I need to write good reviews because its an important cause' syndrome. Those who do, don't do any of us any favors.

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