76 Days

As a historical document of something that really didn't happen long ago- even if it feels like history- it's great. As a narrative, it doesn't quite manage to be as compelling.

They do really stick to their approach of just showing - in a straightforward and objective manner - the struggles and tribulations of Wuhan's doctors, nurses, and early patients in the first couple of months of the pandemic.

It really nails the opening and closing scenes, there are a couple of people covered here and there that make an impression, and there are some great, haunting shots of the city in lockdown that never cease to look eerie, even though I've literally been out in the streets and on roads that look just as empty in my home city!

The approach does work for creating a feeling of neutrality and realism, but it's not as engaging as a story, with a sense of (possibly intentional) repetition making it hard to focus during certain parts.

But even then, if I only take away the beginning, ending, a few patient stories, and some of the visuals, that's more than enough. It's an admirable effort to show the early days of COVID-19, and while it's not super "entertaining" or emotionally engaging (save for a couple of heartbreaking sequences that I won't spoil- but you will know them if you watch this documentary), it is interesting.

And it also works as a testament and love letter, if you will, to medical professionals in Wuhan and the world over, highlighting the insane sacrifices they've made to save lives and reduce further outbreaks.

Also, if anyone reading this knows a COVID-denier (if any still exist,) please show them the first five minutes of this movie and see if they have the guts to say it looks exaggerated or not that big a deal- it's powerful, potentially attitude-changing stuff.

Hard to watch, but a must see. The directors captured with such sensibility, respect, and care the essence of these people giving everything they've got to save these other people, like on a battlefield. To my fellow healthcare workers: THANK YOU. YOU GUYS ARE THE HEROES!

TIFF 2020 13

76 Days

filmed mostly in a single hospital in the city of Wuhan, the film shows the period of 2 and half months of lockdown in that hospital and what goes there in that time period. Having access to these footages form the very first frontlines against COVID is what makes this film very special and important. It helps us understand and feel the horrors of those days when we didn't know much about the virus and its behaviour. The film makes of more appreciative of what the hospital staff, the doctors, nurses and everyone involved did for us. Thank you so much for saving us all.

Beautiful and scary footage of what is was like in Wuhan for some of the doctors and nurses on the front line of Covid-19. Following patients and staff, you see the sheer luck of recovering from covid vs. Dying, and how quickly that was shown. We knew so little back then and the fear we all felt early on was very palpable in this. Despite the subtitles, you get a sense for the great compassion from the doctors and nurses in how much they care for their patients. Beautiful film. I was captivated for the entire thing.

This documentary was hard to watch. The scenes were both gut-wrenching and frustrating and frustrating. Gut-wrenching for the sickness and human drama; frustrating for the lying about the scope of the crisis. After two years of the pandemic, the communist indoctrination of the doctors towards the patients was both comical and insane. This makes the film a sad black comedy.