The latest tapes from top-notch medical video producer Xenejenex, while sharing the same high production standards of previous entries, signal the beginning of a new (and slightly disturbing) direction: namely, a kind of corporate sponsorship. Underwritten by an educational grant from Serono, The ART of Fertility is meant to be a companion video to Xenejenex's superb Pathways to Parenthood (reviewed in our March 1991 issue). Geared towards infertile couples considering Assisted Reproductive Technologies, The ART of Fertility basically rehashes the second half of Pathways to Parenthood, interviewing couples who have used in vitro fertilization, as well as the more elaborate transfer processes of GIFT and ZIFT. These are expensive treatments, often not covered by medical insurance, which have no greater success rate (15-20%) than Mother Nature--drawbacks the video dutifully points out. Yet, the program chooses to highlight one couple which had quads from an assistive reproductive technology; an unusual outcome. For the infertile couple, however, seeing this magnanimous bounty, the visuals are likely to speak louder than the words. The producers. of course, know this. Still, the video does make viewers aware of the incredible miracles which are now possible through ARTs.Relief From Migraine is also underwritten (by Carnrick, whose drug Midrin is shown on the video), and covers almost the same material as Xenejenex's No More Headaches (reviewed in our April 1993 issue). Like the earlier program, this combination of interviews with headache sufferers and physicians addresses the differences and similarities between migraine, tension, and cluster headaches. The video discusses the wide range of possible triggers and looks at several treatments.While neither program improves on its predecessor, both of these titles would be suitable for general collections. Libraries with Pathways to Parenthood may want to add The ART of Fertility as a companion video. Those who already have No More Headaches needn't add the very similar Relief From Migraine. (R. Pitman)
The Art Of Fertility; Relief From Migraine
(1993) 26 min. $24.95. Xenejenex Productions. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 3
The Art Of Fertility; Relief From Migraine
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.