COURAGEOUS WARRIORS
BEAUTY FROM THE ASHES
(DOCUMENTARY)
SYNOPSIS: Courageous Warriors; Beauty From The Ashes is a tale of extraordinary women, young and old, who took their recovery from breast cancer a leap beyond medical diagnosis. They created new paths of wholeness through body, mind, and spirit. Now they offer those gifts to others. Come along on this moving journey and watch true warriors rise from the ashes. Warriors who were told that cancer treatment would not help. Warriors who were told they would not survive. Warriors who sought alternative methods of living. Warriors who came out of the fire stronger and more beautiful than ever.
The documentary not only has heart but showcases unique programs created by Breast Cancer survivors who are giving back to new warriors traveling this difficult path. Featured within the documentary are caregivers who are thrust into battle in full support of their loved one, along with those that have fought this battle, as well as individuals just stepping onto the battlefield. Also included are various nonprofits who make their unique programs available to survivors at no cost and other survivors who share their alternative paths to wellness.
WHAT THIS DOCUMENTARY DOES WELL: It's nearly perfectly shot and while that is probably the least interesting aspect here for most, there is something to be said about framing, lighting, and focusing when it comes to a talking head pacing. One slight error there may pull you right out. Beyond that you have to be aware that documentaries dealing with heavy subject matter, that is more sad than shocking, can feel a lot heavier as the minutes tick away. Perspective is so keenly mismanaged often in conventional documentaries and what Darla Rae does is turn all of that on its head brilliantly. This may be the most thorough account of not just the actual person going through breast cancer but of all the ones around them going through it with them. It's this smart directional choice that leads to possibly uniquely speaking to you as an audience member, instead of at you. Darla really comes at something we all are keenly aware of, have seen many documentaries on before, and gives you all the fresh perspectives you may never have thought about and thus creates incredible flow that brings you in just a little better, a little tighter to what is actually being said. In lesser hands this might have fallen flat but Darla Rae really has a great sense of balancing it all and not just striking you with melodrama for melodrama sake but in poignant, well edited bursts that do find a rhythm and pacing that create a carefully interwoven narrative.
WHY CHAMPION THIS DOCUMENTARY: It's easy to say, well, what, you are okay with Cancer? That might be a slam dunk to say hey watch this movie because if you don't your an asshole. However, that being said watching and really "watching" a movie are 2 different things. Like if you ask a lot of kids and probably some adults too, if going to church is really "going to church" when you fall asleep, are hot to point of discomfort and agony, and/or hate the fact you have to stand, sit down, stand up, and sing while doing all of that. Not retaining a word of it. Conventional , talking head documentaries can be "going to church" really easily, no matter how much your intentions are there. This film because of it's smart approach doesn't give you that opportunity to feel that heaviness I spoke of above. It weaves in and out and with many perspectives on display I don't know how something won't get through to you if you have a pulse and aren't an asshole.
(DOCUMENTARY)
SYNOPSIS: Courageous Warriors; Beauty From The Ashes is a tale of extraordinary women, young and old, who took their recovery from breast cancer a leap beyond medical diagnosis. They created new paths of wholeness through body, mind, and spirit. Now they offer those gifts to others. Come along on this moving journey and watch true warriors rise from the ashes. Warriors who were told that cancer treatment would not help. Warriors who were told they would not survive. Warriors who sought alternative methods of living. Warriors who came out of the fire stronger and more beautiful than ever.
The documentary not only has heart but showcases unique programs created by Breast Cancer survivors who are giving back to new warriors traveling this difficult path. Featured within the documentary are caregivers who are thrust into battle in full support of their loved one, along with those that have fought this battle, as well as individuals just stepping onto the battlefield. Also included are various nonprofits who make their unique programs available to survivors at no cost and other survivors who share their alternative paths to wellness.
WHAT THIS DOCUMENTARY DOES WELL: It's nearly perfectly shot and while that is probably the least interesting aspect here for most, there is something to be said about framing, lighting, and focusing when it comes to a talking head pacing. One slight error there may pull you right out. Beyond that you have to be aware that documentaries dealing with heavy subject matter, that is more sad than shocking, can feel a lot heavier as the minutes tick away. Perspective is so keenly mismanaged often in conventional documentaries and what Darla Rae does is turn all of that on its head brilliantly. This may be the most thorough account of not just the actual person going through breast cancer but of all the ones around them going through it with them. It's this smart directional choice that leads to possibly uniquely speaking to you as an audience member, instead of at you. Darla really comes at something we all are keenly aware of, have seen many documentaries on before, and gives you all the fresh perspectives you may never have thought about and thus creates incredible flow that brings you in just a little better, a little tighter to what is actually being said. In lesser hands this might have fallen flat but Darla Rae really has a great sense of balancing it all and not just striking you with melodrama for melodrama sake but in poignant, well edited bursts that do find a rhythm and pacing that create a carefully interwoven narrative.
WHY CHAMPION THIS DOCUMENTARY: It's easy to say, well, what, you are okay with Cancer? That might be a slam dunk to say hey watch this movie because if you don't your an asshole. However, that being said watching and really "watching" a movie are 2 different things. Like if you ask a lot of kids and probably some adults too, if going to church is really "going to church" when you fall asleep, are hot to point of discomfort and agony, and/or hate the fact you have to stand, sit down, stand up, and sing while doing all of that. Not retaining a word of it. Conventional , talking head documentaries can be "going to church" really easily, no matter how much your intentions are there. This film because of it's smart approach doesn't give you that opportunity to feel that heaviness I spoke of above. It weaves in and out and with many perspectives on display I don't know how something won't get through to you if you have a pulse and aren't an asshole.
THERE IS A SPECIAL WORLD BROADCAST PREMIERE SCREENING HAPPENING WITH THIS FILM ON FEB 24TH AND YOU CAN LEANR MORE ABOUT THAT HERE
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