In the Same Breath

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the faults and strengths of pretty much every society worldwide.
This doc captures the effect of that catastrophic, global event in two radically different societies. In China, people die as a result of lack of freedom of speech. In America, as a result of unchecked conspiracy theories. Both things are equally frustrating. The mind-blowing thing is how similar the authorities' fight to control the narrative is in the two countries that we like to think of as almost polar opposites, and how deeply they distrust the other form of government.

The film also captures the extreme trauma of health care workers. Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing in this is a montage of health care workers breaking down after finally getting off the front lines, and later the disbelief in their faces when they hear people talk about the virus being created by Bill Gates and other similar insane conspiracy theories.

A lot of the semi-hidden camera footage from inside Wuhan is pretty wild to see, and enough to make this documentary worth a watch

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the faults and strengths of pretty much every society worldwide.
This doc captures the effect of that catastrophic, global event in two radically different societies. In China, people die as a result of lack of freedom of speech. In America, as a result of unchecked conspiracy theories. Both things are equally frustrating. The mind-blowing thing is how similar the authorities' fight to control the narrative is in the two countries that we like to think of as almost polar opposites, and how deeply they distrust the other form of government.

The film also captures the extreme trauma of health care workers. Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing in this is a montage of health care workers breaking down after finally getting off the front lines, and later the disbelief in their faces when they hear people talk about the virus being created by Bill Gates and other similar insane conspiracy theories.

A lot of the semi-hidden camera footage from inside Wuhan is pretty wild to see, and enough to make this documentary worth a watch

Having seen quite a few docs on covid-19 now (and I’m sure there’s more to come) I think this one stands out above the rest. They’re all hard hitting and brutal, since they’re all in one way or another relatable. What makes this different is the way she’s woven together original content, social media and news in a really global way. The juxtaposition between the news segments and the hospital footage is especially striking when put on a timeline like this.

Having seen quite a few docs on covid-19 now (and I’m sure there’s more to come) I think this one stands out above the rest. They’re all hard hitting and brutal, since they’re all in one way or another relatable. What makes this different is the way she’s woven together original content, social media and news in a really global way. The juxtaposition between the news segments and the hospital footage is especially striking when put on a timeline like this.

Sundance Film Festival - Second Screening

Sundance Film Festival - Second Screening