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Come catch two independent films about the health care industry, and then join in on an open discussion about healthcare.
On Thursday, August 20th, the Olde North Charleston Picture House is showing "Damaged Care" and "Charleston Health Care Stories."
The Olde North Charleston Picture House is at 1080 East Montague in Park Circle, North Charleston.
Here's all the details, from an e-mailed release:
Patch Adams, step aside. The singing doctors have arrived and they're offering more than a high "c" with your BP test.
In light of the growing controversy over national health care reform, the Greater Park Circle Film Society will be premiering two topically relevant films: "Charleston Healthcare Stories" by director Edward Faircloth, and "Damaged Care" by Michael Schiralli. The showing will be followed by a community forum featuring a diverse selection of panelists along with audience participation. Among the panelists who have been invited are Congressmen Brown and Clyburn, and representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Organizing for America. Confirmed panelists will be announced later.
"Damaged Care", a musical comedy film about the state of health care in the United States, will premiere in a one-time-only viewing at the Olde North Charleston Picture House on Thursday, August 20 at 7:30pm. Preceding the film will be a short documentary directed by Mount Pleasant resident Edward Faircloth entitled "Charleston Healthcare Stories." The film is an intimate look into a series of healthcare reform meetings held in the Lowcountry this past June. Faircloth will talk briefly about the challenge of documenting a sensitive political and personal issue with his subjects.
"Charleston Health Care Stories is simply ten minutes of real people telling real accounts of their challenges with our real health care system," says Faircloth. " It is one thing to hear our president discuss the need for health care reform, but quite something else to have a real person sitting in front of you ... describing how they must sacrifice their own health because they can't afford to pay their bills and also have health care insurance."
The main presentation, "Damaged Care: the Musical Comedy about Health Care", has been performed in 27 states. It features two physicians, Greg LaGana, M.D. and Barry Levy, M.D., who regale the audience with comic, yet compelling musical numbers such as "Another Outbreak of Us Superbugs", "Doctors in Cyberspace" and "The Spare Parts Blues". "Damaged Care" has been featured in The New York Times, the Boston Globe and AMA's American Medical News, as well as on CNN Headline News, ABC Nightline, PBS Health Week, the Joey Reynolds Show on WOR Radio nationwide, and the Healthy Living program of Martha Stewart Living.
Following the feature, panelist will react to the film and discuss issues related to health care reform. According to Dr. James Sears, Executive Director of the Olde North Charleston Picture House, "this evening conversation is among persons who have expertise in this topic but don't necessarily agree with one another." One of the goals of the Society, Sears notes, is to educate: "We hope that everyone leaves the theater more informed about this national issue and that everyone has an opportunity to express themselves within a framework structured for civil dialogue."
Tickets for the movie will be available at the theater box office, which opens at 6:45 pm. Seating is limited, and standing room only is expected. The first film will begin at 7:30pm. There is a suggested donation of $2 for members of the Greater Park Circle Film Society and $5 for non-members.
