War Hospital 2005
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by Bonnie Thompson
Directed by Monica Treut
VHS, color, 89 min.
Sr. High (with caution for classroom use), College, Adult
African Studies, Red Cross, Health Sciences
Date Entered: 08/11/2006
Reviewed by Gerald Notaro, University Librarian, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida, St. PetersburgOne is grateful for closed captioning with a documentary such as War Hospital. The mix of English speaking dialects, radio communication, and African languages makes it more than useful. Filmmakers Damien Lewis and David Christensen were given full access to the Red Cross hospital and operations that serve the unfortunate victims of the Sudan Civil War. This is no M.A.S.H. The suffering is real, and though viewers may be presently desensitized by fiction shows such as E.R. and real life medical trauma from cable, it can still shock. Whether the uncontrived editing and presentation is dramatic enough to sustain everyone’s 89 minute attention is questionable, but it will prove rewarding to all. Realistic and startling situations are filmed for which decisions quickly made are final. The teaching moments are uplifting and a cause for hope in desperate times. The mostly white staff works seamlessly with the Africans. There is no evidence of cultural or class clash, but rather a mutual spirit of respect and cooperation. The lack of narration or explanation may tax younger viewers’ interest, but War Hospital is a recommended purchase.