Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story ( Phillip Baribeau, 2017): USA | Mexico

Reviewed by Susan Cochran. Viewed at the Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2017.

Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story is an intimate portrait of the effects of a devastating  life changing accident.  We see the damage that has been done to Eduardo’s body and the challenges and courage that he and friends and family struggle with. It is a documentary of physical endurance, forging a new life, changed relationships and a search for an authentic self.

This accident should not have happened. On a bow hunting trek in the Montana woods, Eduardo comes across a bear carcass and, curious, he uses his knife to investigate.  He is electrocuted by a hidden cable that sends 2400 volts of electricity through his body. Terribly burned over several parts of his body, he loses his left arm below his elbow, ribs, and muscle mass.  While in the hospital, testicular cancer is detected and treated. His family and business partner/past girlfriend Jennifer Jane help him on his healing journey.

The intimacy of this film is beautifully shown. Jumping from sweeping Montana landscapes and skies to hospital scenes drives home the devastation on his body. Close up shots of Eduardo’s animated face and his absent limb bring us into the hospital room. These scenes spare us nothing of the reality of his burns and the operations and decisions that have to be made.  The screen sometimes goes from full screen to 1/3 screen to show the trapped feeling of a body that he no longer recognizes and that technique is also used for the changing relationship with Jenn.  The film goes out of focus at times to visually show the confusion externally and internally. The detailed shots of house interiors or the outdoors may seem slow but it is the simplicity and patience of moments necessary for the healing to take place. This documentary does not shy away from raw and honest emotions.

This is an inspiring film that shows the resilience of the human spirit. Though Eduardo functions well, there is still a tension throughout most of the film that circles around him and his tight knit family, filled with love and flaws. He physically strengthens his body and regains his chef skills using his artificial “bionic” arm. After an emotional parting with Jenn, he works with other amputees in the Challenged Athletes Foundation and gives motivational talks. His message is that we are all connected and that we support each other. This is visually illustrated in a scene with a young man who briefly talks with Eduardo about the challenges he has to support his ill younger brother. The tearful communication between Eduardo and the young man literally shows that connection. See this movie for the inspiration, graphic resilience and appreciation of our ability to dream big.