Tree man - the cure.

Date:
2009
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About this work

Description

This is a follow-on documentary to 'Half Man Half Tree' which features 36-year-old Dede who lives in Jakarta, Indonesia, and has an extremely unusual condition which has led to his body becoming covered in branch-like structures. Dede's only income is as a performer in an Indian circus troupe, a psychologically cruel and physiologically painful means of supporting his family. Dr Anthony Gaspari, Chairman of the Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland ran tests on Dede and believed his condition was due to an infestation of a rare wart virus which had run out of control because of his extremely weak immune system. He wanted to treat Dede's condition with drugs rather than surgery. However the medical team at Hasan Sadikin Hospital want to operate on Dede and the Indonesian government encourage a huge media circus and admit him to the hospital for an intensive 6-month period of surgery. The surgery is shown in some detail. Eventually Dr. Gaspari is invited to Indonesia to present his plan to help Dede without relying on surgery alone - the wart virus is so virulent it will grow back quickly despite surgery. In the end Dede undergoes a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. He returns home in the hope that one day he will be completely cured.

Publication/Creation

UK : Five, 2009.

Physical description

1 DVD (60 min.) : sound, color, PAL.

Copyright note

Summer Films and The Incubator, 2008.

Notes

Broadcast on 25 March, 2009.

Creator/production credits

Produced and directed by Rachel Oakes.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    4293D

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