Category Archives: documentary

Movie review: The English Surgeon

Earlier this Spring I was lucky enough to catch this great documentary called The English Surgeon at HotDocs, an intimate portrait of a brain surgeon working in an ill-equipped Ukrainian hospital and dealing with the moral and ethical issues that often exist between doctor and patient relationships.

It was an amazing movie to see, and it ended up winning the HotDocs festival.  When the movie was released on DVD it was only available in England but I was lucky enough to have some friends bring it over and it has been a pleasure to watch again.  Here is a trailer of the movie and some screenshots (click on them for a larger image):


Edit: I’m happy to report that now the DVD is available to all on their official site and finally comes in NTSC format which can be played on North American DVD players.  It’s about 16 pounds to purchase, but with the pound coming down recently now is a great to come to buy it!

Edit #2: While the entire movie can now be found on YouTube, it would be great to support the author and buy the DVD.

‘The English Surgeon’ wins HotDocs!

From the Globe & Mail:

Toronto — A film about a British neurosurgeon’s heroic efforts to bring relief to tumour victims in Ukraine has won the $10,000 award for best international feature documentary at the 15th annual Hot Docs festival. The North American premiere of The English Surgeon, directed by Geoffrey Smith, was one of seven films honoured last night at a ceremony in the Isabel Bader Theatre at the University of Toronto.

read on…

I was at the first screening of this movie and it was very good! Unfortunately the DVD is only available in Europe. Congratulations to director Geoffrey Smith for an excellent job!

Last chance for ‘The English Surgeon’ Wednesday in Toronto

I just got back from the first of two screenings of The English Surgeon from HotDocs in Toronto, and I must say it was quite an amazing movie! Excellent story, beautiful music and cinematography makes this movie a must-see. It is airing only once more this Wednesday at 4:30pm if you can make it, I would highly recommend it!

Here is a HotDocs interview with director Geoffrey Smith, and another interview from the Glasgow Film Festival last month:

‘The English Surgeon’ to air in Toronto next week at Hot Docs

The Hot Docs 2008 film festival is fast approaching and runs in Toronto from April 17th to 27th.  One of the most talked about documentaries is The English Surgeon, an intimate portrait of a brain surgeon working in an ill-equipped Ukrainian hospital and dealing with the moral and ethical issues that often exist between doctor and patient relationships. Directed by Geoffrey Smith, the film candidly addresses issues that affect us all.

Here’s the trailer:

Screenings and tickets details:
2008 Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival

THE ENGLISH SURGEON
First screening:
April 21st at 9.30pm – Bloor Cinema

Second screening:
April 23rd at 4.00pm – Isabel Bader Theatre

Tickets are also available for purchase at the Documentary Box Office:
87 Avenue Road, Hazelton Lanes (Upper Level)
Phone: (416) 637-5150

or at www.hotdocs.ca