Independent Lens Season 7 Episode 28 A Lion in the House

"A Lion in the House" is a gripping and emotionally charged episode of the documentary series Independent Lens. The episode focuses on the lives of five families whose children are battling cancer, and the ways in which each family navigates this incredibly difficult journey. Directed by acclaimed documentary filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, the episode is a raw and intimate portrait of the pain, fear, and hope that come with facing an illness that threatens a child's life.

The episode is structured around several key narratives, each centered on a family whose child is undergoing treatment for cancer. We meet Tim and Barb, a couple whose 6-year-old daughter Alex is fighting leukemia. Alex's treatment involves a grueling regimen of chemotherapy, and we see how her parents struggle to manage her care while maintaining some semblance of normalcy in their lives. We also follow the story of Justin, a teenager with a rare form of bone cancer who must undergo multiple surgeries and grueling physical therapy in order to fight for his life.

Another family we meet is the Harrisons, whose daughter Al goes into remission after a year of treatment for leukemia, only to face a new battle when the cancer returns a year later. We also follow the story of Zoe, a teenage girl who must undergo a risky bone marrow transplant in order to survive her cancer. Lastly, we meet Jen, a single mother whose son Joe is diagnosed with cancer right as she is beginning a new relationship.

As we follow the lives of these families, we get a sense of the immense emotional toll that cancer takes on both the patient and their loved ones. We see the difficult decisions that must be made about treatment options, the overwhelming fear and anxiety that comes with every new scan and test, and the ways in which cancer can upend one's entire life. But we also see the incredible strength and resilience of these families, as they fight to keep their children alive and to find meaning and hope amidst the chaos.

One of the most powerful aspects of "A Lion in the House" is the way it captures the emotional rollercoaster that is the cancer journey. We see moments of joy and levity, such as when a group of teenage patients puts on a fashion show for their families, or when Tim and Barb take Alex to meet her favorite singer, Taylor Swift. But we also see moments of intense sadness and despair, such as when Al's parents must come to terms with the fact that their daughter's cancer has returned, or when Zoe must confront the reality that her transplant may not be successful.

Throughout it all, Bognar and Reichert's camera is an unflinching witness to the highs and lows of the cancer journey. They show us intimate moments of family life, such as a mother comforting her son during a painful treatment, or a group of siblings playing dress up in the hospital playroom. They also capture the complex dynamics that can arise in a family facing such a crisis, such as the strain that Joe's diagnosis places on Jen's new relationship.

Ultimately, "A Lion in the House" is a moving and profound exploration of what it means to face a life-threatening illness. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and hope to carry us through even the darkest of times. This episode of Independent Lens is a must-watch for anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and the ways in which we can find strength and meaning even in the face of incredible adversity.