Voices from the Shadows

[Purple]

The film Voices from the Shadows has been mentioned in the following BBC Radio programme at around 1:20 as part of a discussion of how disability is portrayed in film: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012w459
(this can be listened to for another 4 days - until 23 January 2013)

Scott Jordan Harris who was interviewed in this programme mentions his review of the film - "A howl of desperation for those who cannot howl" - this is here: http://blogs.suntimes.com/foreignc/2012/02/life-in-the-shadows.html

 

[Andrew]

I purchased a copy. This is the only ME/CFS movie I've seen where the feeling from the visuals spoke as strongly as the words.

 

[*GG*]

I purchased a copy. This is the only ME/CFS movie I've seen where the feeling from the visuals spoke as strongly as the words.

Is this available for purchase from just about any where or select website(s)?

GG

 

[SickOfSickness]

I want to know where too. I can't figure out how to buy it on Mubi. I think it's not available now for most countries.

DVD is also not available except with buying a screening license. http://voicesfromtheshadowsfilm.co.uk/shop-dvds/

 

[Andrew]

It looks like they changed their licensing/sales structure.

 

[Bob]

Voices from the Shadows has been made free to watch until the end of the year:
http://voicesfromtheshadowsfilm.co.uk/dvds/

 

[angee111]

This movie was excellent. Having the input from sufferers (Naomi I think it was), professionals, and carers ensured everyone's perspective was taken into account. I watched this with my mother and I think it really increased her understanding of what it's like to deal with this life-robbing illness. I cannot recommend it enough.

 

[SickOfSickness]

Voices from the Shadows has been made free to watch until the end of the year:
http://voicesfromtheshadowsfilm.co.uk/dvds/

I'm sorry I missed it. I wish this thread had been bumped. I only found it today.

 

[Bob]

I'm sorry I missed it. I wish this thread had been bumped. I only found it today.

I'll let you know if I come across another free screening.
I didn't watch it - i thought it would be too upsetting for me to handle while I'm not well.

 

[Sasha]

I'll let you know if I come across another free screening.
I didn't watch it - i thought it would be too upsetting for me to handle while I'm not well.

I've never watched it, apart from the first few mins - don't think I could handle it.

That's why I'm looking forward to Forgotten Plague and Canary in a Coalmine - I think they'll be much more hopeful and I think that they'll get a much wider audience, for that reason. I think the story has evolved since Voices from the Shadows, in that we've now got some very big hitters from the biomedical world involved and research is snowballing - which gives a very different narrative.

 

[SickOfSickness]

I'll let you know if I come across another free screening.
I didn't watch it - i thought it would be too upsetting for me to handle while I'm not well.

Thanks. I'm not sure about handling it either, actually.

 

[Sidereal]

Watched this today. Wow

 

[Sasha]

Watched this today. Wow

You're braver than I am...

 

[Bob]

I've never watched it, apart from the first few mins - don't think I could handle it.

lol, that's as far as I got too!

 

[Sasha]

lol, that's as far as I got too!

I think there's a big need for a film that's not too distressing for patients to watch!

 

[Sidereal]

I think there's a big need for a film that's not too distressing for patients to watch!

Kinda hard to do an uplifting feature on this given how shit everything is. In this movie Dr Speight said that his impression is that things are getting worse clinically for patients, presumably he meant in the UK.

 

[Bob]

Kinda hard to do an uplifting feature on this given how shit everything is. In this movie Dr Speight said that his impression is that things are getting worse clinically for patients, presumably he meant in the UK.

Yes, you're spot-on that it's hard to do an uplifting feature about the reality of our lives, especially if the film is to be a hard-hitting reflection of reality. But, as sasha says, the next films should be more positive because they also focus on the latest scientific developments.

I think there are some distant glimmers of hope for the UK situation, in the long-term, as there seems to be a slow shift towards accepting that ME is a real and neglected illness that deserves a biomedical approach to research and treatment. But unfortunately this hasn't translated into clinical insight or practicalities yet. Ignorance abounds within the NHS. There is zero treatment available for ME and there are no facilities for severely affected patients in the UK. If severely affected patients need in-patient care, they are only offered psychiatric wards and psychiatric interventions (and therefore disbelief), as far as I can see. The situation is diabolical in the extreme.

 

[Sasha]

Kinda hard to do an uplifting feature on this given how shit everything is. In this movie Dr Speight said that his impression is that things are getting worse clinically for patients, presumably he meant in the UK.

But I think Forgotten Plague is managing it (isn't it, @Gingergrrl? You've seen the preview!).

 

[Sidereal]

You're right that it's hard to do an uplifting feature about the reality of our lives, especially if you want it to be a hard hitting reflection of reality. But, as sasha says, the next films should be more positive because they also focus on the latest scientific developments.

Right, this movie is about medical abuse and neglect of PWME, those severely and very severely affected. The upcoming movies seem to also have the goal of awareness raising about the scientific standing of ME.

 

[Gingergrrl]

But I think Forgotten Plague is managing it (isn't it, @Gingergrrl? You've seen the preview!).

Will try to read this whole thread later so I understand what you are asking me but I did see the full movie of "Forgotten Plague" (pre-edited version) and it was wonderfully done but sad of course! Many parts had me in tears.