Ethics Thru Drama 2004
Distributed by Fanlight Productions, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by A Take Ten, Inc.; Linda Haskins, production
Director n/a
Canadian DVD, color, 54 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Bioethics, Death and Dying, Drama, Ethics
Date Entered: 09/21/2005
Reviewed by Nicole Cooke, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJEthics Thru Drama is a creative and powerful project that spotlights issues of medical ethics through dramatic presentations. Created by two nurses, the production features 3 vignettes that tell the stories of 3 very different women, each battling life threatening illnesses and dealing with the resulting ethical issues of death and dying. In addition to the content, what makes this production really unique is that each vignette is composed of one actor (one of the nurses who created Ethics) delivering a monologue; the actress, who is quite convincing, speaks to the camera, as if the viewer were the doctor, friend, stranger to whom she is speaking. There is very little movement on the actress’ part and there are no sets or props. All of the power and emotion come strictly from the woman who is telling her story.
The stories (which have corresponding discussion guides), can be watched and discussed separately or as a whole, they touch on ethical issues of religion and faith, and they display the wide gamut of emotions associated with serious illness, including agitation, anger, despair, confusion, hopelessness and exhaustion. The stories also drive home two other important points: life threatening illnesses are not only hard on the patient, but they are hard on family, friends and caretakers. Also, it is made abundantly clear that the medical profession has a long way to go in terms of compassion and responsibility for those who are ill.
The technical components of this documentary are fine and appropriately sparse given the content and visual direction of the vignettes. With the exception of close-ups, there are no camera or lighting tricks or special effects. The visual editing and sound quality are average and consistent. It should be noted that this is a Canadian DVD, and may not work on all players. Ethics Thru Drama is potent and enlightening and should be shared with medical personnel, of all levels, who deal with patients and their subsequent delicate issues. Ethics should also serve as food for thought in classrooms. Ethics Thru Drama is recommended, and is best suited for school, medical and patient education libraries.