76 Days

This is far better than I expected. Well-edited, fast-paced, and emotionally-engaging. I think showing humanism is far more needed than showcasing cruelty simply as a spectacle.

Doctors across the planet just want to save their patients. Government be damned. That's what I got from the film.

Now I want someone to make a documentary in an American hospital. There probably won't be much difference.

76 Days, places you in the heart of the COVID-19 epidemic. You come to understand that just as with the onset of the AIDS epidemic there are people we can't help but to connect with behind the crisis we're encountering. They are heroes, victims, and survivors that help us all to achieve a better understanding of who we are and who we must be for one another.

As a historical document of something that really didn't happen long ago- even if it feels like history- it's great. As a narrative, it doesn't quite manage to be as compelling.

They do really stick to their approach of just showing - in a straightforward and objective manner - the struggles and tribulations of Wuhan's doctors, nurses, and early patients in the first couple of months of the pandemic.

It really nails the opening and closing scenes, there are a couple of people covered here and there that make an impression, and there are some great, haunting shots of the city in lockdown that never cease to look eerie, even though I've literally been out in the streets and on roads that look just as empty in my home city!

The approach does work for creating a feeling of neutrality and realism, but it's not as engaging as a story, with a sense of (possibly intentional) repetition making it hard to focus during certain parts.

But even then, if I only take away the beginning, ending, a few patient stories, and some of the visuals, that's more than enough. It's an admirable effort to show the early days of COVID-19, and while it's not super "entertaining" or emotionally engaging (save for a couple of heartbreaking sequences that I won't spoil- but you will know them if you watch this documentary), it is interesting.

And it also works as a testament and love letter, if you will, to medical professionals in Wuhan and the world over, highlighting the insane sacrifices they've made to save lives and reduce further outbreaks.

Also, if anyone reading this knows a COVID-denier (if any still exist,) please show them the first five minutes of this movie and see if they have the guts to say it looks exaggerated or not that big a deal- it's powerful, potentially attitude-changing stuff.

Wuhan, China was the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak, and was locked down for 76 days, while hospital staff struggled with an overload of patients. With all the protective equipment securely taped to them, the staff could hardly be distinguished from one another, if not for their names written on their gowns. Some medical teams from outside Wuhan included their city of origin, and eventually pictures or words of significance are added for individualization.

After the initial rush and chaos, the stories of various patients are followed. The irascible fisherman, the married couple in separate male and female wings, the parents and the newborn baby, etc. Some get discharged, some don't make it. There are also some out-of-hospital scenes of people in lockdown. Despite the fact that some directors have to remain anonymous, the film is not a condemnation of China, but a tribute to the hospital workers, and to a smaller extent, the volunteers.

This is the 1st movie about the pandemic, and is worth seeing.