Educational Media Reviews Online

Salt in My Soul is a documentary film about the life of Mallory Smith, an activist and author who died from complications of cystic fibrosis, a chronic and progressive genetic condition that impacts numerous organs and compromises lung function. Cystic fibrosis has no known cure and can have a significant negative impact on quality of life and life span. The filmmakers reveal Smith’s story through a combination of video interviews, journal excerpts, and family “home” movies. Much of the material included in the hour and a half long film comes from Smith herself, who secretly began documenting her experiences as a young child and requested that the information be kept private until after her death.

This film’s title alludes to the fact that Smith spent much of her time swimming and surfing in salt water, which has been proven to hydrate the body and assist in clearing mucus from the lungs, subsequently lowering the risk of infections that threaten the lives of people with cystic fibrosis. Her many other treatments included physical therapies designed to loosen, thin, or dislodge mucus, as well as a wide array of prescription drugs and, in her final days, bacteriophage (aka “phage”) therapy (which an autopsy indicated was working, but not quickly enough to save Smith’s life).

Some viewers of Salt in My Soul may be familiar with other depictions of cystic fibrosis in the media, including the vlogs and TedTalks by the late Claire Wineland, the founder of Claire’s Place Foundation and inspiration for the wide-release feature film Five Feet Apart. Smith, like Wineland, presents as a vibrantly likable and inspirational young activist working energetically throughout her short life to live as fully as possible while also raising awareness and expanding treatment options for those with cystic fibrosis.

Salt in My Soul is worthwhile viewing for those interested in learning about cystic fibrosis. It also provides useful insights into how the diagnosis of serious or fatal illnesses impacts the lives and communication styles of affected individuals, their families, and friends. This film is suitable viewing for students at the high school level and up, although viewers should be aware that the film deals directly with mortality and the fact that Smith does not survive is central to the storyline. It is likely to be of greatest interest to those in the fields of chronic illness, health sciences, and communication studies; it provides numerous examples of health-related communication. It may also be of interest to those in the field of philosophy, as Smith’s views on life, death, and dying are also central to the film’s message. Interested viewers may also wish to reference Smith’s now-published diaries, on which much of the film is based.

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