Ep 7. Mondays at Racine

Mondays at Racine is the seventh episode of the first season of HBO Documentary Films. This heart-warming documentary follows the lives of two courageous sisters, Cynthia and Rachel, who run a small beauty salon in Long Island, New York that offers free pampering services to women who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

The women who come to the salon are all at different stages of their cancer treatment, and the salon offers them a chance to feel beautiful and confident despite the physical and emotional scars of their illness. The sisters offer free wig cutting and styling, head shaving, makeup application, and other beauty services to help these women feel their best during a difficult time.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the lives of the brave women who come to the salon, and learn about the challenges they face as they navigate the physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment. The salon provides a safe space for these women to connect with each other, share their stories, and find support and encouragement from Cynthia, Rachel, and the staff at the salon.

The documentary also follows the lives of Cynthia and Rachel, who opened the salon in honor of their mother, who passed away from cancer in 2003. The sisters are passionate about helping other women who are going through the same struggles that their mother faced, and their dedication and compassion for their clients is truly inspiring.

As the episode unfolds, we see the impact that this small salon has on the lives of the women who come through its doors. We meet women who have lost their hair and feel unrecognizable to themselves, women who are ashamed of their scars, and women who are struggling to find the strength to keep fighting. We see how a simple haircut or a fresh coat of nail polish can provide a much-needed boost of confidence and self-esteem, and how the support of a community of women can make all the difference in the world.

Mondays at Racine is a touching tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and support in the face of adversity. This beautifully-shot documentary follows the journeys of women who are fighting for their lives, and the sisters who are there to help them every step of the way. It is a testament to the power of community, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.