Watch Facing Darkness

Facing Darkness is a riveting documentary that tells the story of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak that occurred in West Africa in 2014. The movie follows the experience of two American healthcare workers, Dr. Kent Brantly and his wife Amber, who contracted the deadly virus while working as medical missionaries in Liberia. The narrative also includes the perspective of the Samaritan's Purse, a Christian humanitarian organization, and its leader Franklin Graham, who led the organization's response to the outbreak.

The movie starts by giving a brief background on the Ebola virus and its devastating effects on the body. The rapid spread of the disease in Liberia is highlighted, as well as the need for immediate action to put a stop to the outbreak. The audience is introduced to the Brantlys, a family of medical missionaries who devoted their lives to serving the people of Liberia. Their experience leading up to their infection is featured, including their initial skepticism about the severity of the virus and their eventual realization of the seriousness of the outbreak.

Dr. Brantly's infection by the Ebola virus is central to the story. The audience witnesses his rapid decline, from the onset of the symptoms to his ultimate isolation in a makeshift quarantine unit. His condition was dire, and he faced a bleak prognosis with no known cure for the virus at the time. Amber Brantly's experience as the caregiver of her infected husband is also a significant part of the story. The documentary explores the emotional torment she faced while being isolated from her husband and the rest of the world. The audience watches her struggle to keep her hopes alive, despite the odds being stacked against her.

The film also features the response efforts of Samaritan's Purse to the Ebola outbreak. The challenges of mobilizing and organizing supplies and personnel in a pandemic are highlighted. Additionally, the measures put in place by the organization to keep its staff safe are explained. The audience gets an insight into the Samaritan's Purse approach to addressing the outbreak and the critical role they played in the recovery efforts.

Franklin Graham, the leader of Samaritan's Purse, is also part of this documentary. His personal experience and contributions to the response efforts are featured, giving the viewers a closer look into his leadership style and commitment to the organization's mission. We see footage of him leading prayer groups and addressing the concerns of his team. Graham's presence adds another layer to the narrative, demonstrating the impact of an organization in action and the role of a leader in times of crisis.

The movie's climax is the arrival of an experimental vaccine, used for the first time a few miles away from the quarantine unit where Dr. Brantly was held. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and the medical team had to make a crucial decision on whether or not to administer the experimental vaccine to him. His treatment with the new drug is detailed, and viewers see a charismatic and compassionate side of the Physician, Dr. Richard Sacra, who brought the experimental drug into Liberia to treat patients with the Ebola virus.

Overall, Facing Darkness is a moving story of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The dedication of the Brantlys and their fellow medical professionals to help those in desperate need is inspiring. The audience is exposed to the struggles, doubts, and triumphs that the Ebola outbreak presented to those working to contain it. The documentary highlights the importance of partnerships between governments and non-governmental organizations in addressing any pandemic, no matter how severe. It is a thought-provoking film that aims to inspire hope and awareness in the face of outbreaks and epidemics worldwide.

Facing Darkness is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.