Product Description Redefining the traditional scope of documentary film in an electronic age, 65_RedRoses leaves viewers with a new appreciation of life and the digital world. This personal and touching journey takes an unflinching look into the lives of Eva Markvoort and her two online friends who are all battling cystic fibrosis (CF) - a fatal genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system. Unable to meet in person because of the spread of infections and super bugs, the girls have become each other's lifelines through the Internet, providing unconditional love, support and understanding long after visiting hours are over. Now at a critical turning point in their lives, the film travels the distance the friends cannot go themselves, capturing the compelling and often heartbreaking realities they face, just trying to take each breath. About the Director Philip Lyall is a recent graduate of the University of British Columbia's Film Production Program where he was mentored by Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker John Zaritsky. He is an award winning director and cinematographer whose short films have screened in numerous international festivals. Tiny Dancer (writer/director) was one of twelve films selected across Canada to screen at the Toronto Student Show Case. The following year his graduating film Scattering Eden (cinematographer) won best cinematography at the Toronto Student Showcase and the 2007 Leo Award for best Student Production. Philip co-founded Dualogue Productions Inc. 65_RedRoses is Philip's first documentary film, which he co-directed, produced and edited. Nimisha Mukerji is an award-winning producer/director from Vancouver, British Columbia whose passion is documentary film. While completing her Undergraduate Degree in Film Production Program at UBC she wrote and directed the short black comedy Scattering Eden, which was selected for the Toronto Film Festival's Student Showcase and went on to win the 2007 Leo Award for Best Student Production. Immediately after graduation the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television selected Nimisha for their National Apprenticeship Training Program. Nimisha was the co-director, producer and editor on 65_RedRoses, which is her first feature length documentary film. For her work she received a Gemini Nomination for Directing, and was awarded the Artistic Merit Award from Women in Film Vancouver as well as the Don Haig Award for Emerging Filmmakers. Currently Nimisha is in production on two new documentaries - The Coconuts (winner of the 2010 Super Channel Feature Documentary Award) and Blood Relative, which is being shot in Mumbai for the Knowledge Network.
B**D
It will boggle you (WARNING; SPOILERS)
Right up there with my two or three best (out of 100+ in my collection.) It's partly because Eva and I connected over the net (before she died five years ago this coming March 27, 4 days before her 26th birthday.) We connected through our shared love of theatre (she, acting; me, acting and lighting design) and love of teaching theatre to kids, we both did that. But what also completely enthralls me is that this film starts out as a university project for two students looking around for a documentary subject, and during filming one scene, real time, Eva suddenly gets a cell call approving her for a lung transplant operation. She loses it, is so blown away that she runs off cam to take the call, one of the codirectors runs after her with the cam and keeps rolling, Eva then zooms off the set ("set" is really her private home) to go check in, the directors realize a miracle has just occurred, "it's our film right there," they speed to the bank to lock the footage up overnight in a safe deposit box. Next, the chief cardiac surgeon wants to help them out, gets hospital permission for them to film real-time in the operating room as long as they agree to squeeze up into one corner. Result: Eva gets two years more of life, her blog goes viral, film wins three major awards at the 2009 Vancouver International Film Festival, opens nationally in Canada, she and friends watch from her hospital room. Oprah picks it up for distribution in the USA.It will boggle you, it's better than any reality show because it IS real, no hosts, no flashing ambulance lights. One of Eva's goals is to publicize awareness of cystic fibrosis (inherited and always fatal) and she certainly does that. The directors open the story out beyond her, they point out the trap CF patients fall into: they are prevented from meeting each other in real life, it's too dangerous, they might infect each other with a fatal superbug and ge moret untreatable complications. And this happens at a time when each feels so alone and isolated, they need the immense healing which physical contact can bring, but they're forced to settle for cyberspace chatting. At one point, the doctors relent, Eva and one other CF sufferer are actually permitted to meet each other. And you are totally there, you don't have to have one bit of CF to be drawn into their story and be transformed by it. One extra shows part of Eva's memorial service, seven of her actual (non-theatre) friends take the stage, yep, stage fright, but they get through reading their scene. This film presents its message that love transcends time and is much more powerful than any tragedy, and it's a message we all can open to and take comfort in.
N**E
Emotional, Inspiring and Educational Documentary
This is a beautifully made narrative of a very loving, emotionally strong young woman fighting Cystic Fibrosis. It tugs on the heartstrings as Eva (the young woman featured in the film) is both instantly likeable and immediately relatable for anyone who has, has had, or knows someone who has had a chronic illness. The film also does a great job of showing how different people deal with the disease by following two of her friends who also have the condition and deal with it in drastically different ways (one a bit closer to Eva, one quite a bit differently). It also illustrates why organ donation (a free gift and the ultimate level of giving of oneself) is so important and how much it means to recipient families. This is one of my favorite movies I have ever seen and I would highly recommend it if it sounds even the slightest bit interesting to you.
M**Y
A Change of (Your) Heart
Eva's story is one of struggle, strength, courage, bravery and love.The emotional connection you feel between you and her during the film is unlike anything I've ever experienced watching the many documentaries I have on Netflix, which is why i had to have it. While at its core is about revealing and raising awareness of the horrible genetic disease known as Cystic Fibrosis you'll find on the way there, there is so much to life that you take for granted. This film reminds you what it is to love, to live, to breath, to be, to smile, to enjoy, to pursue your dreams and honestly changed the way i perceived life and treat others around me.The empowering woman known as Eva gives life back to yours in this documentary and may i just say it is a must watch and well worth a buy.
K**Y
Inspiring and empowering!
If I could put 20 stars, I would. I am a Pediatric Nurse and I have been working with a lot of Cystic Fibrosis patients. I had heard about this documentary for a while and was unable to get it until today... Let me assure you that I was not disappointed. It gave me another point of view of this horrible disease and I believe made me stronger as a nurse. Eva's story is incredibly inspiring and empowering. If you ever feel down on yourself, watch it because you will never complain again! This documentary is very well executed and shows us how courageous you have to be to battle such a condition. Thank you Eva!
D**L
story of Eva's online journey w cystic fibrosis10/10
This is the single most emotional documentary that I have ever seen. Made everyone in the room cry. Some left early, as they couldn't take the sadness. But watch it for the strength of Eva. Her story is sad but her journey is remarkable and you can't help but learn from her. My son also has cystic fibrosis and it changed how I approach his disease. It is a part of who he is. He has the disease, it does NOT have him.Donate to cff.org
L**.
Inspiring and beautiful.
I saw this documentary on OWN network and had it saved on my DVR for the longest time before I ordered it. Having a fatal lung disease myself and facing transplant at a young age, I can really relate to Eva in her journey. Despite the sad outcome, this short film educates and creates awareness of both organ donation and cystic fibrosis (CF) and is a must-watch for anyone. Get this, and maybe a few tissues as well. You won't regret it.
T**A
Great buy
Great movie , great shipping , and wonderful packaging
T**N
This really hits home.
My daughter has cystic fibrosis. Watching this have me more knowledge of what to expect. It's a horrible disease and I sympathize with everyone that has to deal with this in one way or another. We need more awareness for this disease.
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