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

Reviewed by Hanna Olsson. Viewed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2017.

Charged starts out with a man hiking up a mountain, which is just the epiphany of Eduardo Garcia’ story. A story that is at its complete bottom and only goes up. Eduardo Garcia, a complete outdoor junkie and huntsman had his whole world turned upside down the moment his curiosity led him to being electrocuted by 2400 watts. Eduardo was deep into the mountains, so his journey after being electrocuted and making his way down to civiliaztion is still unknown. Clips of holes all over his body and the destruction the electrocution caused, leaves your body with chills and makes you wonder how he even survived. On top of such severe injuries, his arm was soon after amputated. Luckily, Eduardo was taken care of by Jen, an old girlfriend/friend, who immediately sprung to his side despite their rough past. Jen definitely was a light that kept Eduardo going in the hospital as she spent every day and night with him for two months. Despite the heartbreak of seeing Eduardo’s condition, she took initiative to film his course in the hospital and to keep his mind off of the fact that they were in the hospital. On top of the destruction of his muscles, legs, arms, torso, scalp, and amputated arm, he soon later is diagnosed with Stage 2 Testicular Cancer. As if things could not get worst for him, Eduardo shines through his obstacles showing that he would not be held back by his disabilities. The film reflects on his past and how he has always been an adventurer from fishing, hiking, and hunting. He has always been active whether he is surfing or creating his own outdoor cooking show. From living a life of expedition, he was sure that he would continue being adventurous and he would adapt with his prosthetic arm. He overcomes the struggle and difficulties of a prosthetic arm, and finds new ways to live the life he had before. Eduardo does not limit himself to life and does not discourage himself for his new disability, because having a fake limb is better than not having a life. Instead of feeling bad for himself or stopping what he loves, he finds redemption by taking on the same tasks he had before and by sharing his story with everyone around him, and even competing in a disabilities triathlon.

The documentary also reflects on the absence of Eduardo’s father and then his return back into his life. It really captures the importance of his family and that his father was more of a friend than a father figure. His family was extremely important, but I think Jen was his rock and the most important. Jen received the short end of the stick in their relationship, and despite his betrayal, she loves him and carried him from the beginning to the end of his recovery. It was important to reflect Eduardo’s relationship with Jen and his family because like he said in the film, he would not have been able to get through it without them, and they are the reason he is who he is today. Eduardo continues to persevere with all his outdoor activities and his successful cooking business which reminds us that anything is possible to overcome. Eduardo’s story opened my mind to the fact that my problems are so tiny compared to what other people have gone through and to appreciate my life to the fullest. I recommend this film to everyone and hope everyone knows they can go up even when they feel at rock bottom.