Educational Media Reviews Online

Marc Ostrick, a filmmaker/cinematographer with noted short films and documentaries, has produced this very out-of-the-ordinary documentary about his own open heart surgery. Born with a congenital malformation of his heart, Marc previously underwent surgery at age 3 and again as a teenager. Now at age 27, he and his family approach the third surgery with more of the adult related concerns, stresses and fears. The video covers the period about a week before surgery until 60 days afterwards with a significant portion of the footage being in the hospital for pre-op through post-op. Blended throughout the film’s footage is information that would assist in educating people about the nature of open heart surgery and the evolution of technology in this area. His doctor professes how had he been born 10 years earlier, Marc would have died as a child. But the film is less about his surgery than it is about Marc himself and the complex relationships among his family and friends. Maybe because he grew up with a camera in his hand, he, his family and friends are very real in front of the camera. The film succeeds in capturing real moments ranging from fear and sadness to joy and delight.