Extra Credit #2- Perfect Strangers

For extra credit, I attended the "Perfect Strangers" documentary by Jan Krawitz on Wednesday, April 20th, in the Lang Auditorium. The film discusses the importance of kidney transplants in the world, and how common it is for many people to be kept on a waiting list to receive a new, functioning organ. One of the main characters, Ellie, is determined to give one of her kidneys to someone less fortunate who is currently on dialysis. This person happens to be, Kathy. She has been on a waiting list for many years, and has been confined to her home for many years due to the extenuating circumstances of her illness. Ellie and Kathy were meant to be a match, until something within the system fell through and did not allow them to go through with the surgery. They were heart broken, but Ellie eventually decided to put her kidney on the market for someone whom she did not know. This way, it would make it easier for her to be less attached to the person, and not as disappointed if the surgery did not go through. She finally found another match, and donated her organ to a man that she had never met or had contact with. Kathy also ended up finding a donor, as well. The Q&A with Krawitz proved how difficult it is to be a film maker, especially since this film took a few years to come together with the lapses in time. However, I think she did a beautiful job in capturing the hardships of those in dire need of assistance, and highlighted how much transplants are needed in our country.