Facing Darkness

In 2014, the African country of Liberia faced a devastating health crisis caused by the Ebola virus. In many quarters, the disease was met with fear and ignorance, but the Christian group Samaritan's Purse felt it was their duty to respond with care and love. Produced by the organization's president, Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham), and directed by Arthur Rasco, Facing Darkness looks at the group's efforts, a challenge made worse by Liberia's 1990s civil war, which took a heavy toll on doctors, healthcare providers, and hospitals. The virus was spread by bodily contact, and close-knit Liberian families tried to treat the infected at home and prepare the body for burial after death (one man says he lost 17 family members). Healthcare workers had to wear head-to-toe surgical body suits, and worked long shifts, during which fatigue and human error increased the chances of exposure to Ebola. An international crisis occurred when Dr. Kent Brantly and two other American healthcare workers contracted Ebola, requiring a controversial, complicated extraction from Liberia to an American hospital willing to admit them. In Liberia, there was some local hostility against healthcare workers, who were viewed as outsiders, and the international response was at first inadequate, but the infected workers recovered, and Liberia was declared Ebola-free in May 2015. The Christian-themed Facing Darkness sometimes repeats points, but thanks to powerful testimony from Brantly and others, it ultimately tells an inspiring and suspenseful true story. Extras include a message from Brantly and Franklin Graham, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and film premiere footage. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)