"Zemene" is a full-length documentary that follows a spirited 10-year old Ethiopian girl, Zemenework (Zemene), as she fights to keep hope alive and survive her life-threatening condition of Kyphosis, a severe curvature of the spine. With no health care in her village, Zemene travels with her Uncle Menormelkam to the city of Gondar, where they are told that there is no medical treatment that can save her.
At a critical moment, Zemene and her Uncle cross paths with Dr. Rick Hodes, an internist, whose life’s work is to help those in need. This chance encounter takes Zemene and her Uncle down a new path, giving them hope for the future.
"Zemene" movingly depicts how individuals providing care to children in need can transform not only individual lives, but communities as well.
Q&A to follow with Director and Dr. Rick Hodes