09/10/09

Territories of the Breast is a feature documentary exploring multiple crossroads of breast cancer: health inequality, gender crisis, support system, medical knowledge and artistic responses. The artist Sonia Báez-Hernández was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 at an outpatient facility in Evanston. While at the facility she canceled her surgery twice because her rights to know treatment options and to participate in decisions about her care were violated.

 She struggled to get access to respectful and nondiscriminatory medical care within this facility. Through a series of networks, she applied to philanthropic organizations and finally had access to surgery, reconstruction, and treatment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The documentary shows unequal choices in medical care and how 46 million Americans without health insurance could potentially experience a violation of their patient rights and human rights.

 The documentary reveals an intimate portrait of Báez-Hernández’s struggles and artistic response. Because of her journey she was intrigued by other women’s experiences with breast cancer and inequality issues in healthcare. Sonia interviews Latina and African American  breast cancer survivors: Diana Solís, Tina Nava,  Lucille Afua Gram, and Catherine Roach Connor to reveal their experiences with breast cancer. The viewer enters Sonia’s journey to see all the experiences interwoven to disclose the complexities of medical access, choices, gender crisis, and the meaning of becoming women.

Chick here to read article in the New Times

For Screening, Commissions, Presentations contact the artist.