We have shown the world the truth

 

The film “If We Knew” describes the struggle for survival waged by newborn children on the University Clinic in Groningen. These are children born with problems or incurable illnesses and whose lives must be forcibly terminated. Religious groups have accused pediatricians of using Nazi style methods. Reexamining the moral code of pediatricians, as well as the possibility to make such radical decisions, Peter and Petra Lataster made this film. Mrs. Lataster is a guest of our festival.

 

How did you choose the theme of your film, which is a very disturbing one?

- I have read in the papers that there was a debate going on in many countries about how the doctors in the Netherlands treat newborn babies. My husband and I wanted to discover how the doctors are really treating babies born with certain illnesses. We wanted to show the world the truth and ready to discuss it.

Did you have any problems during the shooting and the research preceding the making of the film?

- We have first informed the doctors about what we wanted to learn and the theme we wanted to research. They responded positively and invited us to film everything we wanted. We only needed the approval of the parents of the children we aimed to film. Almost everyone gave us their consent. Everything was very emotional. I cried often, which was interesting, because it never happened during the shooting itself. When the cameras would stop rolling, everyone would start crying. Even while we were editing the film, everyone cried.

The babies you filmed were ill at birth. Could anything else have been done to keep them alive?

- When we started the filming, we were convinced that the doctors are beginning with the operations too early or are not thinking too much before doing something which is, unfortunately, inevitable. As the time passed, we understood they were really doing everything in their power. When the babies suffer, they stop the procedures. As it may be seen in the film, some of these procedures are horrific and difficult to watch. Ultimately, I realized that everything the doctors do is right.

What was the reaction of the public on the festivals you have previously shown the film on?

- The doctors in Korea were taken aback and they couldn’t believe that someone is doing such procedures. They invited us in their hospitals to show us how they are doing it. In the Netherlands, the domestic doctors were very satisfied with the film.

What are the themes you will be addressing in the future?

- I will primarily address the economic crisis in Holland. The crisis is known to have erupted in almost all countries and many people have lost their jobs. Some of them started working privately. It was interesting to observe those with lower qualifications, who didn’t want to remain at home. Many of them worked in factories and then went on joining forces and bought these factories. My film is about these people and I can’t wait to see the final result. These workers are great. They are all Dutch, but their parents originate from Mexico, China and the like. Everything is mixed now. I hope to finish this film by the end of the year.