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When Jane Seymour was nominated by the American Red Cross to their celebrity cabinet and assigned the measles campaign in Africa, she didn't take the honor lightly; she determined to do more than just lend her name to the humanitarian initiative, she offered to go to Kenya personally to participate. She and her husband, director/ film maker James Keach, offered to make a documentary for the Red Cross of this experience, one that would chronicle not only Jane's experience but that of 8 Los Angeles School children as well, who were chosen by the couple to accompany them on this incredible journey. The result of this effort was 'Disease of the Wind', a critically acclaimed documentary that won two awards when it was shown at the Deep Ellum Film Festival in Dallas, including audience choice awards for Best Documentary, as well as the Lionel Rogosin award for 'excellence in execution and spirit for a film that serves to help impact the world in a positive way through its message.'

Disease of the Wind is not typical of its genre, it doesn't seek to leave the viewer with a sense of guilt but rather of hope. Without shrinking from the harsh reality of life in a place where so many children die from measles that in some areas "mothers don't even name their infants until the age of five," the film manages nevertheless to convey the image of a proud people who as Seymour notes in the film, 'are doing the best they can'.

Skillfully juxtaposing images of malnutritioned infants against those of laughing children celebrating the arrival of the Americans, Disease of the Wind seems almost a contradiction in itself. How one wonders can such joy exist amid such misery? Seymour herself wonders at this in the film as do the Los Angeles students. The answer she concludes, lies in the heart of the Kenyan people themselves- in 'Jackson' for instance, a young teen living with 12 other children in one room whose only goal in life is to finish his education. And in education, Seymour notes, lies the future and the hope of the African people.

Director James Keach (who also wrote the documentary) has crafted a film that not only educates but takes the viewer on an emotional roller-coaster ride. From the image of Jane Seymour in tears trying desperately to communicate with ' Grace', a young abandoned child stricken by the disease, to the smile on a young boy's face as he is handed a check to fulfill his life's dream, Disease of the Wind is more than a powerful documentary of the measles initiative in Africa, it is a spiritual journey into the hearts and minds of the people themselves.

I had the opportunity to see this film with some friends at the Tribeka film festival. I had seen this movie once before in FRENCH through a friend who had sent me the video when it aired on French TV. There was simply no comparison though to seeing it on the big screen. It truly is a beautiful film and one Jane Seymour can be very proud of. I knew of course that Jane had been 'aged' a bit for most of the film to fit the part but I found I was so engrossed in the characters that it didn't bother me. Actually there are several scenes where we all agreed she looked absolutely beautiful and very much like Michaela Quinn. The director used these scenes skillfully to illustrate how Fiona's (Jane's) dimeanor slowly changes as she begins to allow Mark into her heart.

The film is about a woman who has led a hermetic existence for 20 years on Sable Island as a result of a very painful incident in her past. Mark is her twelve year old nephew who when a car accident claims the life of his dad and sister and leaves his mother in a coma, is sent to live with his aunt Fiona. As Fiona, Jane in the beginning is nearly unrecognizable, although anyone who has seen Matters of the Heart will have some idea- think of the beginning of the film. Her severity is essential though to the plot as it centers around her relationship with Mark and how the bond that slowly forms between them changes both their lives. The title of the film stems from the fact that with the exception of Fiona, the ranger, and now Mark, there are no other inhabitants on the island but a herd of wild horses. Mark and Fiona's eventual involvement with an orphaned wild pony, serves as a catalyst to unlock the secret pain in both of them and to allow a very special bond to form between them. The cinematography is a work of art in this film and the characters are very 'real', for lack of a better word. It's a simple film but one of real quality and one which I encourage anyone who has an opportunity to see to do so.

They say you can't please everyone but with this movie Jane Seymour may have succeeded. What was there to not love about this movie? Absolutely NOTHING. It was sheer perfection from the beauty of the Irish countryside, the haunting gaelic music, the excellent script and direction to stellar acting by all especially Jane herself. This is the kind of movie Jane Seymour shines in! I was moved to tears throughout and riveted to my screen the entire 2 hours. Chemistry among all the cast was excellent and Jane was definitely at her finest here. Someone please tell this woman she doesnt need action movies to attract the advertisers, all she needs is an excellent movie like Yesterday's children! Kudos to all involved in this one, Writer, Director, Cast and Jane Seymour herself. I've now watched this one 5 times and it just gets better!