Trials of medical profession laid bare
The ‘Hippocratic oath’ is sworn by trainee doctors before they practice. They must promise to respect confidentiality and to do no harm.
Hence the name of the Greek who first formulated it is chosen as a title for this film about young doctors training in France. Written and directed by Thomas Lilti, who was also a doctor. He was made The Country Doctor, one of the most popular films in last year’s French and International Film Festivals.
As it happens Hippocrate (the French title) is very close to the French word for ‘hypocrite’ so, as you might expect, Lilti’s view of what is generally regarded as one of the world’s best health systems is somewhat jaundiced.
The aspirant doctors work long hours for low pay in crumbling conditions for a management concerned primarily to balance the budget. This may well have a resonance for many working in New Zealand’s hospitals today.
However, the film is not a political documentary. Benjamin is a pleasant enough, idealistic, young man with some engaging friends whose behaviour in offduty moments is reminiscent of many classic comedies about young doctors in the past and some television serials today.
Benjamin makes a mistake in treating a drunk homeless man, causing his death. The system closes around the young doctor who lies to protect his career.
As a result the audience may lose sympathy for him. Lilti has added Abdel, an immigrant from Algeria with problems of acceptance, who proves to be an excellent model and mentor for Benjamin. Reda Kateb handles this part so well that he won the Cesar, a French media award, for his excellent performance.
Preceding Hippocrates Film Society will screen another film from last year’s Briefs Competition for Nelson students. Don’t Quit Your Daydreams by Megan Sabino and Rebecca Jephson, won the best drama film award. In just five minutes it tells a story that satirises the damage that cell phones can do to social life.