Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders

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Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders

Sarai Tsai | February 3, 2010 - Leave a Comment

Companies	Doctors Without Borders
Industries	Nonprofit

Many have heard of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organization that works in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. Often MSF provides the only source of health care. Most of us, however, have little idea of the reality that MSF workers must face – little or no access to hot water or electricity, working in makeshift tents, being far from home, facing chaotic and violent environments every day.

Now an innovative and independent documentary “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders” provides unprecedented access to MSF. The film shows the medical and personal challenges of four MSF doctors (two new recruits, two experienced) in Liberia after the Second Civil War and in the North-East of the Democratic Republic of Congo where there is still ongoing conflict.

Watch a trailer for the film below.

Keep reading past the break about the film’s showings.

The film premiered at the 2008 Venice Film Festival and has been shown at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival and 2009 Cinequest film festival, where it received the Special Jury Award in the documentary category.

A nationwide showing occurred on Dec. 14, 2009, with a live discussion featuring Elizabeth Vargas, Anchor of ABC News 20/20 along with author Sebastian Junger and Dr. Brasher, Dr. Krueger, and Sophie Delaunay from Doctors Without Borders. The film continues to be shown in theaters as one-time events. The next showing I can find is limited to attendees at an emergency and critical care conference in March.

If you know of other showings, please share! Let us know your thoughts on the film and how it might impact future medical documentaries.

Source: Living in Emergency