Awareness Film Festival - Just One Drop
Tells the story of homeopathy: the most controversial system of medicine ever invented.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Laurel Chiten
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I started off as a skeptic. But I kept hearing stories of people whose lives have been dramatically changed because of homeopathy. At the same time there is much animosity against this system of medicine, debunkers trying to put it out of business for good.
I believe it is a David and Goliath story. My entire career I have fought for the underdog. This is something that has animated my being for as long as I can remember.
Homeopathy has been maligned and misrepresented for 200 years. All I am trying to do with this film, Just One Drop, is give homeopathy a voice, a voice that continues to be misinterpreted. I really don't care if people use homeopathy or not, I just want them to know what it is, so they can make up their own minds.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Healthcare surges as one of the top problems in the US and across the globe. While modern medicine has saved many lives and we now have numerous medical interventions for a variety of medical problems, we also have myriad chronic diseases for which conventional medicine has fewer cures. The bottom line is that despite many medical breakthroughs, people continue to suffer. This is a film that goes beyond just homeopathy. It is about freedom of choice in healthcare.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
It started as a film about the use of homeopathy for treating autism. Over the course of 8 years, it expanded into a film about this history of homeopathy, the history in America, it showed its popularity in India, and then followed the controversy in the UK and led me to follow an investigator who was debunking a major scientific report in Australia.
Just One Drop
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I am told it is a very balanced and entertaining film. Mostly the response has been very positive. With sell out crowds 90% of the time, I think the film is catching a wave of popularity for those interested in an alternative form of healthcare.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Want to reach out to more mainstream audiences.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Would love mainstream press coverage.
Just One Drop
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want JUST ONE DROP to open up a dialogue, get people talking to each other, asking questions, and sharing information. My ultimate dream is to have homeopathy available as a health care option for everyone and be integrated into healthcare systems around the world.
With Just One Drop we are not just striving to keep homeopathy alive. The larger goal of the film is to enlighten the public and broaden the range of healthcare options available to them, providing more freedom of choice and the ability to advocate for themselves.
We are also hoping the film will attract more research funding into this hotly contested form of medicine. As more studies are conducted, homeopathy will be taken out of the realm of magic and mystery. Scientists will be able to determine what works and what doesn’t, and the public will have the best possible information to lead healthier lives. Lastly, we want to encourage more conventional doctors and hospitals to learn about how homeopathic medicines can be integrated into their practice.
Just One Drop
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you know what homeopathy is?
Could this be nature's most potent medicine?
Why do you think there such vitriol against homeopathy?
Are there good quality scientific studies?
How does it work?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Just distributing this one mostly through Cinema on Demand around the world. A very unique model of grassroots distribution.
Interview: October 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Just One Drop
Tells the story of homeopathy: the most controversial system of medicine ever invented.
Length: 67 min
Director: Laurel Chiten
Producer: Laurel Chiten
Writer: Laurel Chiten
About the writer, director and producer:
Laurel has been critiquing and influencing social issues for over 25 years. Her high profile films have screened at film festivals around the world; at universities and medical schools; won numerous awards; been nominated for an Emmy and been broadcast on PBS’s Emmy winning national series, Independent Lens, and POV. The intention of her work is to entertain her audiences while educating them.
Key cast:
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
Journalists and media.
Social media handles:
Twitter: Just One Drop @homeopathyfilm
Where can I see it in the next month?
https://www.justonedropfilm.com/upcoming/