Documentary sheds light on Lyme journey 

This documentary was developed through encounters with specialists and with people who live with the reality of Lyme disease on a daily basis. Through their voices, experiences, and knowledge, the film seeks to shed light on essential questions: why has Lyme disease been surrounded by a controversy that has persisted for decades and why has research funding been so slow to materialize? While it doesn’t claim to provide all the answers, it does raise important questions that are worth examining. We’ve included notes from the filmmaker below.

Note from the filmmaker, Catherine Breton

Through this film, I aim to encourage our authorities to take action rather than continue to hesitate. This issue has many layers; it is dense and far from simple. I chose to present the interviews in black and white to reduce the film’s sense of visual overload – a choice that reflects the polarized–and polarizing–reality of the subject, without overemphasizing contrasts or dramatizing the situation… even though it is extremely distressing for those living with the illness.

The film is offered free of charge because we believe it is in the public interest. Providing open access also allows people who are ill–often confined to their homes, sometimes even to their beds–to watch it without barriers. Half of the film was generously funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, through the NFB’s ACIC program, as well as by several generous donors. The rest I financed myself.

Those who wish to support the cause by making a donation to organizations dedicated to Lyme disease, or to the production company can visit any of the links below. I have pursued this project with determination since 2018, despite experiencing the challenges of chronic illness myself. I hope you find it helpful. 

• AQML – https://aqml.ca/faire-un-don/
• CanLyme – https://canlyme.com/donate/
• Filmmaker – https://www.tiing.co/en-attendant-while-waiting/