In the Same Breath

In the Same Breath is a 2021 documentary film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Nanfu Wang, whose previous works include "One Child Nation" and "Hooligan Sparrow." Wang, who was born in China and now lives in the U.S., uses her unique perspective to address pressing social and political issues. The film, rich in its texture and presented with a poignant lens, features individuals such as Alex Azar, Bill de Blasio, and Anthony Fauci, all familiar figures who played prominent roles during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Same Breath portrays the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China and its rapid spread across the world. The documentary opens with a first-hand account of the chaotic circumstances in Wuhan at the time and its government's response to the overwhelming situation. The narrative then transitions meticulously, weaving between China and the US, illustrating a striking comparative study of the two superpower nations' responses.

Noted figures like Alex Azar, an American politician who served as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, offer their insights throughout the film. Their perspectives enhance the narrative, providing the viewer with valuable contextual layers that lend depth and nuances to this pandemic tale.

However, what makes "In the Same Breath" truly distinctive is its commitment to recording the human element of the crisis, which is notably achieved by including personal stories from both countries. These moving firsthand accounts reveal the devastating human cost of bureaucratic indecisiveness, misinformation, and the prioritization of economic and political stability over people's lives and wellbeing.

Nanfu Wang's approach is unique; she creatively uses a blend of citizen journalism, professional reporting, and deeply personal narratives. This amalgamation spans over a timeline that appears almost chronological in its narration, presenting the onset and progression of the pandemic in both east and west. This powerful juxtaposition serves to underline differences, and at the same time expose shocking similarities, in the authoritarian and democratic approaches to crisis management.

Wang’s film neither vilifies nor wholly defends either nation's government, allowing viewers room for their interpretation. Instead, it engages the audience by juxtaposing the different approaches each government took to controlling the narrative and how media was used to shape public perception. The film investigates government propaganda, misinformation, and offers a critique of various responses to the pandemic.

Moreover, the film purposefully celebrates the bravery of health care workers, highlighting their dedicated service amidst a torrent of unprecedented challenges, fear, and rapid changes. The first-hand accounts of doctors, nurses, health care workers, and others are weaved into the story seamlessly, lending a palpable emotional weight to the narrative.

The cinematography of In the Same Breath is worth noting for its raw and gritty vision. It is almost exclusively composed of footage shot on phones and handheld cameras, giving the documentary an immersive 'you-are-there' feel. Its pace and rhythm match the urgency of its subject matter, capturing the hasty, terrifying, and confusing nature of the world's experience amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sound is another technical highlight of the film. The absence of a traditional score builds a sense of realism that pairs precisely with the visuals on screen, enhancing the audience's melancholic, anxious, and suspenseful journey.

The narration by Wang, threading the story together, binds the film with a voice that is emotive, assertive, and strong, pointing out the follies of both nations she is intimately attached to.

In the Same Breath is a compelling 'eye-opener' film that takes you through an exhaustive exploration of two societies bound by a common virus but yet divided by vast cultural, political, and geographical spaces. This documentary is indeed an indomitable elegy to a year of global upheaval and a nuanced study of governance, responsibility, and truth in times of crisis. The lessons learned from it are not only applicable in the era of COVID-19 but are also for future pandemics.