Watch Living in Emergency

Living in Emergency is a documentary film that follows the work of four doctors of the NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in some of the most dangerous and conflict-ridden places in the world. It was released in 2008 and directed by Mark Hopkins. The film opens with a brief introduction to the work of MSF, a humanitarian organization that provides medical aid to people affected by wars, epidemics, and natural disasters around the world. It then zooms in on four doctors who have volunteered to work for MSF: Davinder Gill, Tom Krueger, Chris Brasher, and the Italian surgeon Dr. Chiara Lepora.

The film mainly focuses on their work in Liberia and Congo, two countries torn apart by civil wars that have caused widespread destruction, displacement, and disease. The doctors face enormous challenges as they try to provide medical care in environments that are often hostile, chaotic, and lacking in resources.

Living in Emergency offers a behind-the-scenes look at the work of MSF, revealing the complexities, dilemmas, and emotions that go into this kind of work. It shows the doctors dealing with a range of medical issues, from malaria and malnutrition to sexual violence and gunshot wounds. It also exposes the political and ethical dimensions of their work, as they struggle to remain impartial in situations where they witness human rights violations and become targets of violence themselves.

The film portrays the doctors as heroic and dedicated individuals who put their own lives at risk to help others. It shows them working long hours, sleeping on dirt floors, and facing constant danger from armed militias, cholera outbreaks, and other threats. At the same time, however, it also reveals their vulnerability, doubts, and emotional struggles.

Living in Emergency is not a polished, slick film with a clear narrative arc, but rather a raw, authentic documentation of the realities of MSF's work. It has a vérité style, with shaky camera and rough cuts, that captures the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the environments the doctors work in.

The film raises important questions about the role of humanitarian aid in a world where conflict and poverty seem to be never-ending. It shows the doctors grappling with the limitations of their work, the politics of aid, and the ethical dilemmas of operating in contexts of violence and oppression.

Despite the challenges and hardships depicted in Living in Emergency, the film manages to convey a sense of hope and resilience. It shows how the doctors' courage and compassion can make a real difference in the lives of people who have been abandoned by governments and international organizations.

Overall, Living in Emergency is an inspiring, thought-provoking, and sobering portrayal of the work of MSF and the realities of humanitarian aid. It reminds us that in a world of violence and injustice, there are still people who are willing to risk everything to help others.

Living in Emergency is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 76.