Watch 65 Redroses

65 Redroses is a heart-rending documentary, released in 2009 and directed by Nimisha Mukerji, about the life of a young, vibrant and courageous woman named Eva Markvoort who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the age of six. The title of the movie derives from a moniker used by the protagonist for the disease that threatened to cut short her life. The number 65 represents the number of roses Eva wished to receive in a bouquet, which she did during her stay in the hospital, on her 25th birthday, a few days before her passing away.

Eva was an intelligent and attractive young lady with a talent for writing poetry and photography. Despite the limitations imposed on her by CF, she remained positive and determined, continuously striving to live life to the fullest. Eva's cystic fibrosis required her to undergo numerous surgeries and treatments, and at the time the movie was filmed, she was considering a double lung transplant in the hopes of prolonging her life. Eva kept a video blog on the internet about her day-to-day experiences and insights about living with CF.

The movie follows Eva's journey from her childhood right up to her final days, expertly combining her personal video blog footage that she kept scrupulously archived along with interviews with her friends and family. The documentary aptly shows the strength, resilience, and spirit of Eva. It captures the intimate moments of her life and provides insight into the challenges that Eva faced while dealing with a disease that leaves its mark on every aspect of daily living. Eva repeatedly speaks about the importance of love, the support of her family and friends to help her to survive, and most importantly, to cherish every moment.

The viewer follows Eva and her family through the ups and downs of her intense surgical preparations when awaiting the lungs, the aftermath and complications of a double-lung transplant and Eva’s psychological healing from this intense medical experience. Eva’s journal entries and video blogs serve as the narrative basis for the unfolding story, providing a personal context for what it's like living with CF. Numerous hospital admissions, treatments, and surgical procedures are shown through the lens of Eva's experiences. The film showcases the raw emotion, pain, and suffering that comes with a disease that consumes its hosts.

As the narrative unfolds, the audience is introduced to some of Eva's friends, her family members, her mother, and her father. The audience gets to know Eva's personality and her struggles from different perspectives. Her mother and father are shown as her strongest advocates, and the bond that Eva shares with her parents is one of love, trust, and admiration. The inevitable death sentence given to Eva is something the family has to come to terms with, and the audience is taken on that journey. It is impossible to not be emotionally moved when seeing the deep love that exists within the close-knit group of people that comprise Eva’s support network.

Throughout the film, the viewer sees the incredible impact that Eva’s openness and honesty has had on other patients with cystic fibrosis. She regularly communicates with other patients with CF online and shares her experiences and stories with them, building a community of people to whom her story resonates. The film captures the world-wide phenomenon that occurred as Eva's story became well-known on social media, resulting in overwhelming support on Facebook, the platform through which many heard of her events and updates.

The documentary brings together different components of storytelling, making for a deeply insightful, compelling, and emotional watch. The cinematography frames each scene, distilling the essence of each moment into something that can be processed without overwhelming the viewer. It’s impossible to watch this movie without feeling inspired, saddened, and grateful for the precious little things that sometimes go unnoticed in everyday life. It’s a poignant reminder that life is short and should be lived with joy and purpose, something that Eva did exceptionally well.

In conclusion, 65 Redroses is a remarkable documentary that tells the tragic yet inspirational story of Eva Markvoort, who fought to overcome cystic fibrosis despite the enormous odds against her. Her story has touched the hearts of millions, and her story and dedication have inspired many to hold onto hope, maintain a positive outlook, and lead their lives fearlessly. The film is especially significant as an insight into the life of a person with cystic fibrosis, as well as the significance of organ donation and transplantation that has to fight to get these life-prolonging surgeries. The film addresses issues of personal disconnection within a body that is failing its host and the physical and psychological dependence on others that comes with asking for life-changing, life-saving support. It serves as a reminder to value the time we have on this earth, and the people who make our lives worthwhile, and that we should all be proud of every step we take, little or big.

65 Redroses is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes.