PRESSREVIEWS
Film ...AND THE BEAT GOES ON
 
Translated from German by Paul Day
 
"Richner and Gachot's message is a clear one: the children of Cambodia have as much right to medical care as Swiss children do. It is a conviction that drives paediatrician and filmmaker alike. And, as a result, Gachot's film of Richner's work is tribute and testimony to the sheer determination that is needed to turn this basic tenet into concrete reality. The result is an impressive piece of Swiss filmmaking that strives to keep pace with the breathtaking tempo with which Richner tackles his work. With images that move the senses; but with images, too, that convey the personal dimension which is such a powerful feature of all of Richner's work. All in all, a film that will make a weekend trip to the cinema eminently worthwhile."
Aargauer Zeitung, November 17, 2000
 
 
"Whatever one's views on his approach in development aid terms, Richner shows again in Gachot's film that it is those who don't do what they can to prevent suffering who need to justify their actions most."
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, March 31, 2000
 
 
And the Beat Goes On is a film about the never-ending flood of sick children, and about a man who, against all logic and against all odds, fights the force of this wave with unbelievable success."
© Die Südostschweiz, July 1, 2000
 

"The fighter fights on. Beat Richner, the doctor with the cello, is still working in Cambodia. Filmmaker Georges Gachot has visited him again. And the Beat Goes On. And how!
'The officials delay and the children die' &endash; the Chanson des Fonctionnaires, accompanied by Richner's own energetic cello, suggests that resignation is in the air. But, fortunately for Cambodia, it's rage that still sets Richner's bow a-playing. It's unbridled anger, too &endash; anger at the Narrow-Minded West, which accuses him and his hospitals of creating needs that had previously not existed.
Georges Gachot's documentary And the Beat Goes On proves the contrary. Before Richner arrived, Cambodia's young just died. But for eight years now, the country's many sick children have had at least a chance of survival. As the film's title makes clear, Richner continues to fight against tuberculosis, malaria, meningitis and corruption. And his heart continues to beat for the poorest of the poor.
It is a cause that has come to the attention of King Sihanouk, too. 'I thank you for everything you have done for our country,' he tells Richner at his birthday celebration. Richner voices his thanks, too, with cello, Casals and Le Chant des Oiseaux, in one of the film's most moving moments.
© St. Galler Tagblatt, November 3, 2000
 
 
Director Georges Gachot is clearly deeply moved by Beat Richner's humanitarian work. He's entitled to be: the man's achievements are truly phenomenal."
© Berner Zeitung, October 7, 2000

 
"Through its interviews and episodes from day-to-day hospital life, the film doesn't just show the unique achievements of one Swiss doctor who has 'moved mountains' with a minimum of resources and a maximum of personal dedication; it also shows how much can be achieved if people are trusted and are given the knowledge and the materials they need to lead a decent life."
© Zeit-Fragen, November 27, 2000

 
The impact of And the Beat Goes On lies partly in the impressive statistics that Richner's organisation can present; but it also lies in Gachot's fascination with the individual behind them. While Richner makes every effort to play down his own role, Gachot's film adopts the same low-profile approach, letting the facts speak for themselves. Yet the images of hospital corridors and streets stretching into the distance are powerfully symbolic of the path which Cambodia and Richner have taken and which, in Gachot's view, must continue to be pursued: And the Beat Goes On.
© Der Bund, October 4, 2000

 
"In addition to the appropriately deferential narrative voice, the carefully-crafted images (of cameraman Matthias Kälin) and the sound (by Dieter Meyer) make their own contribution to an eminently worthy cause."
© Apero, September 7-15, 2000

 
 
"The scandal of the poor &endash; extreme poverty should never remove a child's right to the best possible medical care. The West's approach of fobbing off the poor with the odd charity handout leaves Richner in a rage, and he reads them the riot act in response. Gachot's documentary is an appeal for a rethink, and an appeal for action, too."
© TR7, May 13-19, 2000
 
 
"Tanks or children's hospitals? The Swiss Federal Council plans to purchase 186 army tanks for CHF 990 million. That's CHF 5 322 580.65 per tank. I recently attended the premiere of And the Beat Goes On, Georges Gachot's film about Dr. Beat Richner and his work in Cambodia…"
Letter to the Tages-Anzeiger © April 5, 2000
 
 
"A tribute to Zurich paediatrician Dr. Beat Richner and his work in Cambodia: secondary school students deeply impressed by And the Beat Goes On."
© Neues Bülaches Tagblatt, December 20, 2000

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