In an upcoming screening of a one-hour documentary featuring never-before-seen images and interviews, writer and producer Wayne Miller and his staff at Midway Pictures and Eagle Peak Media aim to showcase the epidemic of tuberculosis with some of the most inspiring survival stories that have emerged from it.
The acclaimed documentary, titled "On The Lake," will be shown on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in MUB Theatre II. The free screening, which is open to the public, will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, Miller and David Bettencourt.
The screening of "On The Lake" is being presented by the Department of Health Management and Policy as part of the Public Health - History and Practice course.
Miller said the film can best be described as "an emotionally powerful look at the human toll taken by tuberculosis, an ancient disease that is still very much with us."
According to Miller, tuberculosis is the number two cause of death by infectious disease in the world today, after HIV/AIDS.
"The film captures life in early 1900s America, when it was an epidemic here and globally today," said Miller. "But even in the midst of these tragedies, the human spirit prevailed. Along with the medical story, we tell the stories of people who survived, and in some cases fell in love."
Miller said hardest part of making the film was, "tracking down all of the rare archival footage, photographs, letters and other documents that are in the movie," as well as "tracking down people who had suffered from TB, or were related to people who died of it."
Miller said that production began in November 2007 and the final cut wasn't completed until early February 2009.
Most of "On The Lake" took place at the Zambarano Hospital on Wallum Lake in northwest Rhode Island. About 100 years ago, the Zambarano Hospital started as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients and is now a place for long-term care.
After the experiences Miller had in the filmmaking process of "On The Lake," he had a hard time pinpointing what was most rewarding.
"Among the most rewarding moments were listening to TB survivors tell their stories and being moved by those stories on a human level, [and] finding rare and never-before-seen photos and personal letters," he said. "Finally watching the final cut before an audience of 600 people -- and being applauded after the credits had rolled [was also rewarding]."
Miller also spoke about the lesson he hopes UNH students will take away from the gratifying film.
"Everyone has a story," he said. "It's our hope that some students might be influenced by the movie to the point where they will go into public health or medicine to join the fight against a disease that today kills some two million people a year around the world."
And if students don't take action, he hopes they at least get a chance to reflect on the stories of not only sickness, but also the hope that he introduced in his film.
"I would be delighted if they would reflect on what they have seen and draw deeper meaning, perhaps a better understanding of and compassion for sick and dying people," Miller said.
More information about "On the Lake" can be found at http://www.onthelakemovie.com.
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