CIFF Sunday, Block 2: Documentary Program

THE HIGHEST COST
Documentary (24 mins.) Italy, SC Premiere

Director/Writer/Producer: Matteo Brunetta
Cast: John Devlin, Jeff Stroehlein and John Feal

Synopsis: John and Jeff are two 9/11 First Responders that cleaned up the remains of Ground Zero for months after the terrorist attacks. Like many other First Responders, they were exposed to an incredible amount of toxic chemicals and waste while working, and a few years later became sick and developed cancer. Eleven years have passed and they are still fighting for their lives requiring very expensive treatments, without any insurance help from the government. Their cancers are not included in the James L. Zadroga Health and Compensation Act. In March 2012, the Scientific Technical Advisory Committee recommended 45 types of cancer to be included in the Act and Dr. John Howard from NIOSH, who, in 2011, rejected to add cancer to the Act, has two months to make a decision as John and Jeff continue to fight.

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A SISTER’S CALL
Documentary (76 mins.)

Directors/Producers: Rebecca Schaper and Kyle Tekiela
Writer: Kyle Tekiela
Cast: Rebecca Schaper and Call Richmond

Synopsis: In 1977, Call Richmond disappeared. Twenty years later, his sister Rebecca found him homeless and suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Filmed over fourteen years, A Sister’s Call captures Rebecca’s brave journey of “bringing her brother back” from the depths of his illness, while celebrating his remarkable path to healing. As Rebecca’s family is finally forced to reconcile the dark traumas and painful memories of their past, Call becomes the unlikely catalyst in this raw depiction of personal and familial recovery.