Review of Blood Brother (2013) by Jeff S — 11 Feb 2013

The first film I screened at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival was the documentary, Blood Brother. Directed by Steve Hoover the film chronicles the story of Steve's best friend Rocky Braat and his choice to live among the poor HIV stricken widows and children in a compound in India. When Rocky first ventures to India, he visits the home thinking he will just be in and out and on his way toward more adventure in the exotic country. Rocky admits he didn't even really like kids, yet he is struck by the children and their situation at the home and decides to cut short his remaining cross country trip and return to be with the children and widows.

Rocky remarked that many Americans had come to the small compound to visit, but they always left becoming only a photo in a picture book; a soon distant memory for the children. Rocky refused to be merely a photo, but a significant part of the lives of the children, widows, and community. He sold all his belongings and moved to India to work in the shelter and give his life to their care.

Throughout the film the audience is introduced to many stories of the children and women who struggle to deal with HIV, AIDS, poverty, and living from day to day. The interactions of the kids with Rocky and Hoover allow for moments of light-hearted childhood enjoyment, but far more often is the film heart-wrenching as the realities of suffering with AIDS in poverty are gruesomely presented. There are moments when both Rocky and Hoover are exposed to the grim and emotional reality that they can only do so much to help.

The hallmark of Blood Brother is that it demonstrates that selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love of the other will inextricably lead to positive results in individuals and the community. Rocky says it best, "We all need love." Although this film is about Rocky and his love for the orphans, that love can be extended not to just the HIV infected in India but to those who are without food ("Finding North") or are in their last moments of life here in America ("How to Die in Oregon"). Rocky is working through the exigencies of the widows and orphans while encouraging us to do likewise where we see injustice, hopelessness, and need. This film is moving, beautiful, touching, and poignant and all proceeds from the film will go to help the kids that Rocky lives and works with everyday. I don't usually vote "Best" in the audience selections unless a film truly moves me and this film got a resounding "best" from me.