Directed by Daniele Rugo, since October 2023, Gaza has been sealed from the world-except for one group. International doctors breach the blockade, what they find is not just a humanitarian crisis, but a calculated dismantling of life itself. Featuring Khaled Dawas, Graeme Groom, Tanya Haj-Hassan, Debbie Harrington, Ana Jeelani, Mhoira Leng, Nick Maynard, Ahmed Mokhallani, Tom Potokar, Victoria Rose and James Smith.
Undoubtedly, highlighting the atrocities which continue to be committed against Gaza is incredibly important. Particularly in how Life Support documents how efforts are being strongly taken to prevent humanitarian efforts, and the shocking nature of the attempts to block access to food, healthcare and other basic necessities. With this documentary Daniele Rugo highlights both the resilience of the people of Gaza and the commitment of the doctors who do as much as they possibly can to help.
In that sense, it is absolutely necessary viewing, especially with the news cycle as it is, constantly straying away to other issues while the violence and persecution against innocent civilians continues. Particularly as it takes the time to show the dwindling number of hospitals, what they look like after attacks, and how that limits the options of the available healthcare workers, as well as the danger they are putting themselves in. However, while there is some incredibly strong, moving, shocking footage and that is obviously impactful, the style of Life Support on the whole is unfortunately, lacking.
There’s no momentum to it, and it’s all delivered in a fairly clinical, slow tone. It also has a slow pace overall, and it meanders through its footage and accounts. It’s missing a personality or guiding hand to draw you into it and provide a lead to help its progress. Sadly, without that stronger style, it tampers the power of Life Support. In its case, the footage is certainly enough, and it’s an important message, but it doesn’t have the presence to drive it further.
Life Support is necessary viewing but the stylistic and editing choices limit its impact. It’s such emotional territory and yet that emotion doesn’t make its way into atmosphere of the documentary. It’s being delivered, unsurprisingly when led by doctors, in a clinical fashion, akin to a news item rather than a powerful piece of cinema. It’s a shame as it has the most wonderful of intentions and a lot to say but it’s falling short of its potential.
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