Educational Media Reviews Online

Seydou Konaté is the only physician for the 40,000 inhabitants of several villages in rural Mali. He is smart, caring, and professional. Watching him practice medicine at his clinic, in people’s homes, and even in the street, we quickly see that he is also passionate about his profession. This documentary brings out the plight of current health care standards in rural Africa, intertwined as they are in every country, with political and economic realities. There is no narration in this film, the visuals and subtitles tell the story. Dr. Konaté is general practitioner, surgeon, counselor and educator to the thousands of rural families he sees; as well as father and husband to his own family many miles away in the city. His meager accommodations in the countryside and the difficult terrain he must cross everyday by motor scooter and sometimes boat, would easily make the faint of heart turn back. But he is dedicated to his people, to healing, and to his country, which helps him keep the loneliness and boredom at bay.

Alternating between scenes of Dr. Konaté’s professional life and his personal life, a clear picture emerges of rural life in Mali. Traditional medicines and healers contrast with the modern “Western” medicine practiced by Dr. Konaté. And while most people practice a little of both, they usually end up in his office. A special moment takes place when one of the local healers comes to the clinic for medical attention, and he and the Doctor have a chat about their respective practices. The uneasy coexistence of these two modalities highlights the everyday struggles facing both doctor and patient and is symbolic of a changing Africa. Dr. Konaté does it all – from performing surgery on a little girl’s finger to HIV/AIDS education to lecturing about which wells have clean water. His affable manner makes him a favorite among his patients, and he radiates a healing brightness that carries over to every part of his life. At the same time, he commands respect which is reflected in his professional and personal encounters.

What makes this film stand out, in addition to the health care scenes, is the intimacy created through the intertwining of Malian culture. Lamothe has adeptly used the visual image to create the necessary human bond with the audience so that we not only care about Konaté, but his patients, Mali, and the state of health care in rural Africa today. Everything’s Fine is a bit long for classroom use if shown in it’s entirety, but is recommended for academic library collections supporting health sciences programs, particularly public health, African studies programs, and sociology programs.