Ricardo Reviews
Festival: Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF)
Genre: documentary
Main Characters: Cast and crew @ https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt31778053
Paul Farrell Jr
Self
The Plot: Attorney Paul Farrell Jr seeks justice against opioid pharmaceutical companies.
The main story lines are: Paul Farrell Jr risks his future and reputation by assembling a team of attorneys to go against the Big 3 within the pharmaceutical distribution industry.
The best (worst) bit is about: The court system is the best way to seek justice, rather than the use of violence says attorney Paul Farrell Jr. The battle against opioid pharmaceutical companies has been filed, due to the 400,000 deaths the drug has caused. In fact, 24 people overdosed in 3 hours within Farrell's hometown neighborhood. In Huntington, WV a Quick Response Team handles on average 3-5 overdoses per shift. Twenty percent of babies born are addicted to opioids in Cabell County. The documentary has a lot of statistical facts, which is helpful when following along. The mayor has created programs to help, while police say the state lacks funding that effects the local level. Paul says if we can control the distribution of this drug, then we can control the impact it makes. There is an illustration of distribution from manufacturer to pharmacy to doctor. Paul says Congress established the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 where distribution goes from manufacturer to wholesale distributor, rather than straight to pharmacy. Cardinal Health did not report suspicious orders the documentary reveals. Paul has declared an opioid public nuisance that is a hazard to public health and safety giving him authority to file a lawsuit against those who profited the most within the link of distribution. The Cabell County Commission approved the filing to go after the wholesaler distributor of opioid, such as AmerisourceBergen ($146B), Cardinal Health ($121B), and McKesson Corp ($198B). McKesson Corp says they do not see the patient, whereas other lawsuits are seen as more patient related. Paul Farrell Jr wants the data that goes into ARCOS database that shows it was not reported to the DEA. Paul Farrell Jr spent six months packaging a subpoena to get that data after the wholesale distributor would not provide it to him. Once the subpoena was filed and disclosed Paul Farrell Jr received phone calls from neighboring states prompting him to get additional case help with Amy Quezon (trial lawyer), Mike Fuller (lawyer with a vision), Peter Mougey (lawyer good with data/statistics), and Mike Papatonio (lawyer good with network/structure). Hundreds of counties helped. The attorneys listened to experts to determine the damages done and to be awarded. Manufacturers were seen as an initial link to knowledge with wholesale distributor. Thus, manufacturers (Purdue Pharma Inc, Johnson & Johnson Inc, Teva Pharmaceuticals) were included into the Multi District Litigation lawsuit, which merges 1800 cases into one. Congress opened an investigation into opioid distribution, which stated there are ~1000 opioid cases that go to the hospital a day with ~100 dying. Paul Farrell Jr's dad who is a judge says his son was a very good lawyer to now a national good lawyer. State attorney generals are going to file a similar lawsuit, which Paul Farrell Jr says is motivated to pursue higher political office by shutting down his MDL. Paul Farrell Jr has been working hard on this MDL for two and one-half years. Paul has filed a lawsuit, subpoena, phoned his senator, and approached a judge to release this governmental data. Eventually the ARCOS data is released to Paul and his team. Paul Farrell Jr had the data become data that is understandable to his team using graphs, charts, and abnormalities. For example, one town had 1700 residents but order up to 600,000 pills in one year, which should have triggered a suspicious order under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 for these defendants. The defendants labeled everything as confidential, and redacted to slow the process of discovery to not be known. Attorneys of Paul's team asked Cardinal Health questions to determine their position on each question asked. Paul participated, but said later that it was difficult as Cardinal Health did not want to "roll over." However, the team was making breakthroughs in the case by questioning more defendants in depositions and getting position answers that were making moves in the case. Paul is removed from negotiations to enable a national settlement. A judge called in AGs, and defendants for an $18B settlement. Paul desires trial, which Cabell County wants as well. Paul sells his home to live in a smaller place close to his parents, while investing some money into the opioid case. Meanwhile, Paul gets a bench trial, which is faster for a closure. Covid hits. State AGs are still pursuing their settlement, which Paul refuses to participate. No cameras were allowed in court. News footage supported the trial's outcome. Paul and his team await for an Opinion from the federal judge, which can take by years end or longer. The national settlement reaches $26B. Paul says his heart would be broken if his trial verdict comes to less than $100M. The verdict was for the defense. The case is being appealed.
I enjoyed (I didn't enjoy) watching this film because: The director, as well as, editor did a good job by placing certain sayings in the beginning and then coming up again later in the documentary. The audio was well in tune, while the cinematography kept me interested throughout the documentary. I did not like that Paul and his team lost considering his theory was well grounded in data.
I would (I wouldn't) recommend this film to someone because: I would recommend this film to somebody to understand what a plaintiff attorney does and hopefully be inspired to pursue law school and/or the legal profession.
Festival: Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF)
Genre: documentary
Main Characters: Cast and crew @ https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt13650680
Rafael Larraenza
Self
Monica Larraenza
Self
Indira Renderos
Self
The Plot: Human beings set off to America from Mexico within the desert facing be lost or death.
The main story lines are: Rafael Larraenza leads Desert Angels, which rescues lost people within the US-Mexican desert.
The best (worst) bit is about: Filmmakers capture Rafael Larraenza realizing a need of searching for lost family members from callers pleading for help from him. So, Rafael Larraenza established Desert Angels that began with himself doing all the work, since people were too afraid to help him. Rafael Larraenza drives to the border on a dirt road and then walks by foot with canes in hands as he treks looking for any survivors. He does find survivors who are dehydrated, thirsty and far from their destination, which is America. Some have been robbed by the tens of thousands of dollars ($20,000) left to survive. Desert Angels has grown, Rafael Larraenza received 60-80 calls a day asking for help. Coordinates of the survivor helps immensely, and it raises the search rescue. Rafael Larraenza was working for well-known companies in the United States, but decided he should resign realizing he was the only hope for these missing people. Desert Angels has grown to volunteers being trained following his lead. When a person is not found alive, Rafael Larraenza prays in solitude. Desert Angels has captured the press having been on television news coverage multiple times. Raffael Larraenza was helping Indira Renderos on a months long search for her son who was an El Salvador college student studying engineering/architecture. Indira Renderos son did not want to be seen as a gang member, so he pursued education to be seen as a good person, but he feared for his safety and went missing within the US-Mexico border. Indira Renderos son wanted to be with his mother causing her to search for Rodrigo her son until his bodily remains were found next to his identification and wallet. It took 10 months to claim and bring his body to his mother Indira Renderos. Raffael Larraenza brought a cross to where Rodrigo remains were found and blessed the spot with Holy Water along with prayers that Indira Renderos participated via mobile live camera. Rodrigo remains were blessed in-person at a funeral home with Indira Renderos and Raffael Larraenza present, among other family members. Indira Renderos says Raffael Larraenza is like family--an Angel who listened to her from her first contact with him.
I enjoyed (I didn't enjoy) watching this film because: There have been many times when Rafael Larraenza has been stranded, while on a dirt road with no way back home except to call his wife Monica for support. Somehow the two find a way out, such as Rafael Larraenza pushing the truck himself to get it going. Often Rafael Larraenza is home for a few hours when he has no choice, but to leave in search of the next possible survivor within the desert. Monica and Rafael Larraenza were celebrating her birthday when he had to leave, due to a phone call asking for help in search of a caller's relative. Rafael Larraenza does not locate every survivor or non-survivor as much as he tries. Rafael Larraenza used to live in Mexico City working for EMT doing rural search and rescue operations until he lost his job, due to an earthquake aftermath. Rafael Larraenza lives in pain when he walks around his knee/leg area as it does not rotate a determined by a New York doctor. Yet, he presses forward by comparing the people lost in the desert what they must be feeling to his pain and overcomes it.
I would (I wouldn't) recommend this film to someone because: I would recommend this film as you witness a real-life desert Angel who may become a Saint.
Filmed/Released: 2024/2025
Festival: Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF)
Genre: documentary
Main Characters: Filmed with respect and gratitude on the traditional, unceded land of the Syilx Okanagan People
Written and Directed by
Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper
Producer
Shirley Vercruysse
Line Producer
Jennifer Roworth
Director of Photography
Vince Arvidson
Editor
Hart Snider
Sound Designer
Velcrow Ripper
The Plot: Everyday living meets seasonal fire danger. To learn, a community advances from indigenous people via controlled burns.
The main story lines are: Nature and wildlife do not stand still, during fire season. Controlled burns protect your property from large fires.
The best (worst) bit is about: Listening to personal accounts from helicopter pilots and fire fighters provided valuable perspectives. For example, one Rider Ventures fire fighter said you have to respect fires; otherwise, it will defeat you. It is like poetic literature how these voices describe fire as dancing with the wind gracefully and carries itself leaves you in awe. If you ever wanted to follow the foot steps of a fire fighter this documentary gives you a glimpse of the methods, tactics and skills involved. You hear about how a fire fighter's life was almost taken and how working with your partner can save your life. You hear accounts from everyday living, how owners want to stay on their property, and suddenly face fire evacuation orders. Fire fighters study fires in the midst of a wildfire; yet, understand that the wind with fire can change everything. Fire fighters always have an escape route. "Trees grow, they replace, lives don't," said one fire fighter. Rank 6 fires usually leave fire fighters to evacuate. Listening to survivors emotions and how they process what happened may help someone one day cope as well. One woman said sitting out by the lake did not sound the same as she heard the forest cry as if it was hurting. Yet, when Winter came you get the sense that the forest was repairing itself and healing. The forest did heal, which was great to see. Learning from the fire reminds us to place sprinklers around the property, and perform controlled burns to save your property. If your house is burned down and you have no insurance you may be helped by Mennonite Disaster Service to rebuild one for you by volunteers. Until it happens all over again, except this time more animals, people and houses are saved.
I enjoyed (I didn't enjoy) watching this film because: I found the opening scene of a lightening strike in the middle of a forest as realistic for starting a wildfire. The aerial views from above were eye-catching. The music was chilling. The audio was clear as you could hear the helicopter chopping the air and the fire cracking down below. You get to see large smoke views from above that you normally would not see any place else. The cinematography has various camera angles from the camerapersons perspective who is capturing and documenting everything. Yet, there are plenty of camera angles capturing fire fighting from the fire fighters point of view. There are camera angles from animals as well, such as dog, hawk, or sea otter.
I would (I wouldn't) recommend this film to someone because: I recommend this heroic and heartbreaking film, due to its fantastic message of controlled burns.
5 out 5 stars
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