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Video Synopses
Between Us
Beyond Flowers
The Quiet War
Two By Two
Beat The Odds
Between Us: When veteran filmmaker Mary Katzke was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, her only experience with the disease was watching her mother die from it nine years earlier. She searched in vain for a film that would show long-term survivors who honestly portrayed their experiences with the disease. She made a commitment that if she made her five year anniversary, she would create the film she so desperately needed at the time. Positive and informative in nature, Between Us is the realization of that dream with a theme of "survivor mentorship".
Through the voices and faces of a wide cross-section of women of all ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds, we hear the inside story of facing treatment and recovery from a disease we all believed would lead to our demise. It is a very personal, intimate, and candid film that is finding a surprising number of additional and unexpected venues for use as a sensitivity training tool for surgeons to a gift of hope for husbands and families. There is no medical advice given, as opinions vary and scientific advances on a weekly basis would outdate the video too quickly.
Between Us was shot with volunteers because fundraising efforts were only modestly successful- the emotional impact of breast cancer was far down the list of favored granting- research grants, mammograms, and PR films for drug companies always seeming to come first. Made with a digital camera donated by Panasonic and professionals looking for a career move, the film was shot in three days. Camerawoman Mia Barker shot her first film, Adriana Pacheco edited her first film, Karla Murthy associate-produced her first film, and so forth. DuArt has graciously underwritten a portion of the film print made from the video master for festivals.
The video developed into a "First Aid Kit for Your Heart and Soul" as survivors began dreaming of extras that would be nice to include with the video such as long distance calling cards, Kleenex, notebooks, herbal tea, bubble bath, resource guides, pocket address carriers, and candles for meditation. Soon resource lists were added, an advertising agency donated the design for packaging and publicity started.
It is our hope and intention that a national sponsor is found to underwrite the distribution of the kit for all the 180,000 women who will be diagnosed each year.
Beyond Flowers - What to Say and Do When Someone You Know Has Breast Cancer: Produced with major funding from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation & Breast Cancer Focus, Inc. of Alaska. When someone you know is diagnosed with breast cancer, the impact of this shocking news is felt by everyone around her. You may feel awkward and unprepared. The natural inclination is to want to help, but many of us are unsure of how to reach out. Beyond Flowers was created to offer ideas, inspiration and practical, meaningful ways to help someone you know as she faces breast cancer. Beyond Flowers is designed to be distributed as a partner film with Between Us (which addresses the concerns of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.)
National experts in cancer and sociology from across the country, as well as the support systems surrounding women currently in treatment in Alaska are featured in Beyond Flowers. The video is divided into seven sections:
- Acknowledging
- Relating
- Organizing
- Processing
- Healing
- Transitioning
- Receiving
You'll be filled with ideas and courage!
Synopsis of The Quiet War
The Quiet War was created to be a source of information and an extensive resource for women facing Advanced Breast Cancer, i.e. cancer that has spread beyond the breast. The film was also created to increase awareness and sensitivity for these women by their caregivers and medical professionals. The content of this film was shaped by cancer survivors and has been reviewed by medical professionals. It is meant to be a guide for women, not an exclusive resource. In the main film, you will meet:
Stefanie, of Los Angeles California, who is 31 years old and has started a foundation to focus on awareness of breast cancer in younger women;
Lynnly, a 52 year-old artist and photographer from San Francisco who gives eloquent voice to the practical aspects of living with this disease;
Martha, a 42 year-old Alaska Native woman who has a spiritual take on life;
Lisa, 41 years old, misdiagnosed for over a year and then given 30 days to live, proving miracles do happen;
And Pam, 60, an Episcopal priest sharing what “as good as it gets” means when undergoing treatment for this chronic but treatable disease.
Their stories are shared with warmth and humor, and most importantly of all- unself-conscious honesty. While specifically about advanced breast cancer, anyone facing chronic disease can find inspiration, information, and comfort in this film. Everyone who knows someone facing a medical crisis can understand more about the mind-frame of this kind of crisis and glean new perspective on their own lives.
The DVD has these components:
Part One: The Quiet War: Profiles of Women Facing Advanced Breast Cancer
Total Running Time: 54 minutes
Includes a separate option with one-page updates on each of the women at the end.
Part Two: Experts including an Oncologist, an Oncology Social Worker, and the author answer questions about disease progression, treatment options, and logistical concerns.
Total Running Time: 62 minutes
Extensive interview with a hospice director and a metastatic breast cancer patient.
Total Running Time: 36 minutes
Part Three: Downloadable Resources
This includes 12 pages of websites, toll free numbers, online and phone support and other resources of interest to women facing advanced breast cancer.
Also available are bios of the filmmakers and consulting experts, as well as a complete list of credits.
Two by Two is a day in the lives of nine 2 year olds from the time they wake up and eat their breakfasts through their day of fun with balloons, shaving foam, tea parties and dress up, nap time and snack times, play time in sand and on the swing set, laughing and crying and squabbling over toys, til bedtime and prayer time. There are 8 "facts" about the developmental levels of two year olds which are informational for parents and grandparents but don't interfere with the enjoyment of children who are enthralled with watching other kids their own age. 27 minutes in length.
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Beat the Odds Created with Providence Hospital's Women's HeartAdvantage Program, this nine minute video/DVD shows the early warning signs of heart disease these four women identified in themselves (or loved ones) which could be life-saving information for any woman between 40 and 70 years of age. Winner: Best Health DVD Award of 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah
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