THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY deals with access to health care issues through the eyes of three West Africans in need of specialized surgery.
Meanwhile a South African plastic surgeon is searching for meaning as he leaves his successful private practice to volunteer on a hospitable ship - but at the risk of losing the woman he has always loved.
Hyacinthe is a 10 year-old boy growing up in rural West Africa. When he was a baby he fell into hot ash and the skin grew back, pulling the leg into a permanent folded position. He hasn't seen his mother for three years.
The hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, is sailing to Hyacinthe's country, Benin, where free surgeries will be performed on board to the poor for no charge. However the surgeon can only see his wife three months a year, which may be too high a price that she is willing to pay.
Hyacinthe is temporarily reunited with his mother who must be his caregiver on the hospital ship. Can he convince her to not leave him once his leg heals?
South Africa 2011, English, French and Hausa with English subtitles, HDCAM, DigiBeta, DVD, 60 min
Director: Ryley Grunenwald
Cinematographer: Ryley Grunenwald
Editor: Nick Costaras
Prod: Marie-Vérité Films
The Dawn of a New Day EPK from Ryley Grunenwald on Vimeo.