Movies have the power to touch our hearts and make us feel a wide range of emotions. From love stories to action-packed adventures, movies have covered many topics and themes. But what about movies that portray life with an ostomy? If you or someone you know has an ostomy, finding representation and accurate portrayal in the media can be a challenge. However, there are movies that feature characters with ostomies and show the reality of living with this condition. From heartwarming stories to comedies, there are films that tackle this subject in a relatable way. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best movies about ostomy and their portrayal of this condition. So, let's dive in and see what Hollywood and the world of films have to offer on this important topic.
Hope
Hope (Korean: 소원; RR: Sowon), also known as Wish, is a 2013 South Korean film directed by Lee Joon-ik, starring Sol Kyung-gu, Uhm Ji-won and Lee Re. It won Best Film at the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards.
The film is based on a true story, the infamous Cho Doo-Soon case in 2008, in which an 8-year-old girl, named "Na-young" in the South Korean press, was raped and beaten by a drunk 57-year-old man in a public bathroom. So-won (victim) suffers from multiple internal injuries and has to undergo major surgeries. Dong-hoon (victim’s father) is advised by a surgeon that So-won will have to wear a colostomy bag for the rest of her life.
Semicolon; the Adventures of Ostomy Girl
This movie documents a 5 month journey in the life of Dana, a feisty, funny, charming 25 year old, battling a severe case of Crohn's Disease. The disease is unrelenting and Dana is facing major life choices. With Dana as the guide, the film peers into the hearts and minds of Dana and her mother Cari, two strong, funny and loving women, doing their best to live life to the fullest, under circumstances not of their making. In a testament to her tenacity, Dana allows the viewer to enter her world, one which is not pretty. Yet it is full of humor and surprises at the strangest times. Dana is Ostomy Girl and her adventures are truly inspiring.
White Boy Rick
The 2018 film White Boy Rick, starring Matthew McConaughey and Richie Merritt, tells the true story of Rick Wershe, Jr., called by the local newspapers “White Boy Rick” and his father Richard Wershe, Sr. who were heavily involved with drugs and guns. To prevent his father from going to jail, Rick, at 14, became an informant working for the FBI.
But while working for the FBI, Rick becomes more and more involved in the daily activities of a leading Detroit drug lord and his gang, causing the FBI to become suspicious of Rick and he is shot in the stomach. The bullet severely damaged his large intestine. He is rushed to the hospital where lead surgeon Dr. Norman Bolz and others save his life. He awakes with a lifesaving ostomy. The movie shows many ostomy scenes, vulnerably depicting Rick’s personal ostomy journey.
Movies about ostomy can serve as a powerful source of inspiration and education for those living with ostomy or their loved ones. Through the portrayal of characters and their struggles, these movies bring attention to an often-taboo topic and help to break down stigmas. They remind us that ostomy is just a small part of a larger journey, and there is always hope for a fulfilling life. With the right support and mindset, living with an ostomy can be just as fulfilling, if not more fulfilling.
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