~I was not compensated for this post. I received a copy of the documentary for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions are my own and are not influenced by any form of compensation.~
All through the summer there have been campaign walks for Breast Cancer, brands putting out the pink ribbon in support and even Angelina Jolie stepped into the spotlight last month to tell her story of having a double mastectomy. Even with all the promotion and publicity, the disease is still in the shadows for many people, especially those who come face to face with it. Liliana Komorowska, a first time documentary film maker, sought to put a light on Breast Cancer and the women who face it. In her film, Beauty and the Breast, she paints a portrait of survival for women with Breast Cancer. From the moment they learn about the disease and acceptance of it to the complexities of everyday life.
Beauty and the Breast is completely raw, an open (and at times wounded) heart of the disease that affects over 200,000* women in the U.S. alone. Every woman’s story is different and how they come to terms, cope and fight the disease is just as varied. Though there is one thing in common with all women who face it, they all have an unbelievable strength and resilience.
- Soraya – ex-model
- Valerie – interior designer and breast cancer advocate
- Amba – painter and visual arts performer
- Lucie – model, singer and equestrian
- Susan – co-creator of the Srnit? program, Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
- Pamela – travel agent
- Danuta – PhD in Linguistics
- Wendy – translator for the deaf, singer and songwriter
- Kathleen – pre-school teacher
I was so moved by this film. The women bare their souls and you can’t help but want to cry, laugh, be angry and be joyful at their small successes. You feel what they are feeling and for a small bit of time, live with them through it. There were many things that I was not aware of before watching Beauty and the Breast. I wasn’t sure exactly what the procedure of a double mastectomy was, nor what women faced after having the cancers removed. It was an eye opener to say the least.
I watch many documentaries and I must say that Liliana Komorowska’s Beauty and the Breast shook me more than any I have ever seen prior, in a good way. It is impossible to watch the film and not be empowered after watching the women’s lives. It truly makes you want to help be a small part of the chance to help cure Breast Cancer once and for all. I honestly implore you to watch this film, especially if you have family members or friends that are affected by the disease.
Connect: You can learn more about Beauty and the Breast on the film’s website. Help be a part and participate in discussions on the Facebook Page and/or @BATBMovie on Twitter.
I will be having an up and coming interview with Liliana Komorowska. If you have any questions you would like me to ask, leave a comment below!
*Number taken from CDC website – Breast Cancer Statistics
