Of course, here’s the revised and translated version of the markdown content:
This Week’s Featured Film
Extraordinary Measures
- Director: Tom Vaughan
- Starring: Brendan Fraser, Harrison Ford
- Genre: Drama, Family
- Release Date: 2010
At the 95th Academy Awards, Brendan Fraser achieved a remarkable comeback in his 32-year acting career, thanks to his portrayal of a reclusive, 550-pound man in the movie “The Whale.”
Fraser rose to fame with action movies, and “The Mummy” solidified his status as a global action star.
However, this success came at a physical cost. Starting in 2008, Fraser’s health deteriorated, requiring seven spinal surgeries and making walking a challenge. Was this still the Brendan Fraser of yesteryear?
Many actors experience ups and downs, but Brendan Fraser’s journey is unique. Director Tom Vaughan recalls:
“We needed an actor who could convey both despair and resilience, and Brendan had that story in his eyes.”
In 2016, after facing multiple box office failures, a divorce, and weight gain, Brendan Fraser reappeared in the media, creating a poignant moment. His appearance had changed, his eyes were unfocused, and his voice trembled. He tried to answer the interviewer’s questions, but his emotions fluctuated uncontrollably when discussing his career, death, and the past. Some speculated he was suffering from depression, but it was later revealed that he had just dealt with his mother’s funeral and was unexpectedly scheduled for a promotional event. Adding to the pain, the interviewer mentioned the reboot of “The Mummy” with Tom Cruise as the lead. Fraser forced a smile and said, “I’ll definitely buy a ticket for the first day… and see if they can do it better.”
Just when everyone thought Brendan Fraser was gone for good, he overcame his inner demons and returned to the screen. In 2022, “The Whale” was released, and he delivered a breathtaking performance with a 600-pound physique and an equally heavy prosthetic suit. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation of over six minutes. Hollywood shed tears for him, and fans cheered. Brendan was back.
In “Extraordinary Measures,” Brendan Fraser plays a father with two children suffering from Pompe disease. Despite being confined to wheelchairs from a young age, they maintain an optimistic outlook. The protagonist must sacrifice everything, even risking legal consequences, to develop a new drug. To prepare for the role, Fraser visited dozens of families affected by rare diseases, filling his notebooks with their quotes. One quote particularly moved him: “If I can’t outrun death, at least let my children see me running.”
Fraser portrays a father racing against death, dedicating himself to medicine and ultimately driving a global medical breakthrough.
Progress in Rare Disease Treatment
In recent years, China has made significant progress in treating rare diseases. In 2018, the National Health Commission released the “First List of Rare Diseases,” including Pompe disease, and promoted the research and introduction of rare disease drugs, aiming to shorten the diagnosis time for rare diseases to within one year by 2030.
As one mother of a child with Pompe disease said, “We are not waiting for a miracle, but becoming part of the miracle.” Let rare diseases be seen, and let love be unrare.
More Inspiring Medical Dramas
Here are two more medical dramas based on true stories that will surely move you:
Patch Adams (1998)
This film tells the story of Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams, who uses humor therapy to challenge the traditional psychiatric system. By dressing as a clown and caring for patients in unconventional ways, he establishes a humanistic clinic that emphasizes the importance of emotional connection between doctors and patients.
Lorenzo’s Oil (1992)
In 1984, Augusto and Michaela Odone’s six-year-old son, Lorenzo, is diagnosed with ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy), a disease with no known cure. Defying medical consensus, they independently develop a special oil that saves him from the brink of death and benefits other affected families.
Don’t miss this week’s featured film, “Extraordinary Measures”!
CCTV-6 Movie Channel Schedule:
- March 1, Saturday:
- March 2, Sunday: