Reel lives - the first film festival on cancer

This is a bit of old news. However, I think this is worth posting, if only to inform people on films about cancer that they should see. And I am not referring only to “The Bucket List“  which starred Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

There is actually a film festival focusing solely on documentaries about cancer - the first one ever! And it was held last August 2008 with an astonishingly large number of entries - over 250 from 40 different countries. Reel Lives - the Cancer Chronicles Film Festival took place during the World Cancer Congress in Geneva last summer. The film festival was organized by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the leading international non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to global cancer control.

“The festival aims to raise awareness of the complex realities of cancer globally, to shatter taboos and myths surrounding the disease, and to challenge stigma. Reel Lives pays tribute to those whose lives have been impacted by cancer, and provides them with the opportunity to tell their story to a global audience through the creative medium of film.”

33 finalist from 16 countries were chosen. The Grand Prize went to the Swiss filmmaker for his film “Chrigu”, which portrayed the life of a young man, Christian Ziörjen’s (Chrigu) who, at the age of 21 was diagnosed with an advanced-stage neck tumor.

Other winners were:

• Best Reportage film: The Truth about Cancer (USA)
• Best Personal Story: The Art of Living (India)
• Best educational or organizational film: The Children of Avenir (Morocco)
• Best public service announcement. Hookah (Israel)

Those who received honourable mentions were

• Personal Story: Breast Cancer Diaries (US)
• Reportage: The War Against Cancer (France)
• Organizational/educational: Emily’s Story (US)
• Public service announcement: How Long is a Piece of String? (Australia)
• Public service announcement: Any Questions (Canada)

According toUICC executive director Isabel Mortara

“The success of Reel Lives was truly remarkable. All finalists brought adversity and courage to the big screen in their own unique way.  We congratulate all entries to the festival; they championed the idea of celebrating the art of life through their battle with cancer.”

Documentary films like these can surely help in raising global awareness about cancer. We are looking forward to the next Reel Lives film festival - yet we are all hoping that we wouldn’t be needing such a film festival sometime somewhere in the future when cancer would be a thing of the past…

Photo credit: stock.xchng

               

Film feature: The Meaning of Tea

Documentary films might not be your cup of tea but you have to try this one. The Meaning of Tea, a film by Tea Dragon Films, is a 74-minute documentary on - well, tea. Now, you may ask, what is so special about a film about - of all things - tea? What on earth is so exciting about tea? Well, check out this press release:

“The Meaning of Tea is an engaging documentary film that explores the romance and complexities surrounding tea, a universally beloved and widely consumed beverage. The film travels through eight countries, unveiling many reasons behind tea’s mysterious appeal. From afternoon tea in the Midwestern United States to tea estates in India, from the traditional tea ceremony of Japan to modern tea life in Morocco, the film explores the rituals and ceremonies of tea celebrated and enjoyed by a myriad of unique cultures. With an exciting mix of interviews, archival footage and music, the film sheds light on tea’s many varieties, whose value, use, practices, and traditions are sometimes misunderstood, neglected, and even threatened by today’s marketplace. The common thread weaving together these individual stories is the question of whether there is any inherent “meaning” to be found in tea, particularly in an era increasingly dominated by mass-marketing, fast food and corporate coffee. The film also examines the role certain modern forces pay in threatening the survival of tea and its cultural significance. By visiting places where tea is still revered and by investigating its role in these societies, The Meaning of Tea suggests the profoundly positive role tea may play in the future of humanity.“

Tea is supposedly the most popular drink in the world after water. However, experts may argue that it has been overtaken by soda and other sweetened drinks among the younger generation. We know, however, the adverse health effects that soda has brought about. Tea, on the other, has been shown to have beneficial effects on our health as I’ve written in previous posts:

• Green tea can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
• Tea (black or green) can also help prevent some types of cancer.
• Black tea consumption can potentially lower risk for type 2 diabetes.
• Tea may potentially have therapeutic use in the elderly.

The Meaning of Tea was directed and produced by Scott Chamberlin Hoyt, together with Michaela Mckee and Keir Moreano. The film may just be “the beginning of a movement to reduce the stresses of our “amped-up high-tech world by encouraging people to have a cup of tea.” Now, that’s what I call a relaxing idea!

Photo credit: 2008 Tea Dragon Films