-
- "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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