A documentary focusing on vaccine misinformation is making its way to Spokane, Washington, this September. The film titled “Vaxxed III: Authorized to Kill,” is produced by Children’s Health Defense, known for promoting controversial views on vaccines.
The group is helmed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is also running for president. His organization previously faced significant backlash, with Facebook and Instagram removing its accounts for spreading false medical information during the pandemic.
Screenings are set to take place across several cities, including Seattle and Spokane. The primary aim of the documentary, as described on the organization’s website, is to spread skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the site, the documentary will feature personal accounts of individuals who claim to have experienced severe adverse effects from the COVID-19 vaccines. Despite these claims, there remains no credible evidence linking the vaccines to deaths or serious health issues.
Various health agencies, including the American Medical Association, have recognized COVID-19 vaccines like those from Moderna and Pfizer as safe and effective. Dr. Richard Allen Williams labeled Kennedy’s organization as promoting propaganda, highlighting the continuous conspiracy theories related to vaccines.
Promoting the screening event was the Spokane County Republican Party, which has recently supported several individuals skeptical of COVID-19 regulations. Members like Semi Bird and David Olson spokes out against typical health guidelines encouraged by authorities.
Accurate information on immunizations is readily available from the CDC, which emphasizes the importance of vaccinations during the pandemic. The CDC has stated, “COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective,” citing millions of vaccinations administered with extensive safety monitoring.
On another front, the rugby world recently celebrated the announcement of an $800,000 funding boost for the documentary about Jonah Lomu, the late rugby superstar. This funding has emerged after resolving lengthy disputes surrounding the usage of his image and name.
Originally slated for release last year, production faced delays due to disputes with Lomu’s widow, Nadene, who contested control over his brand. Just recently, it became clear via tribunal rulings, she lacked the rights to determine how her late husband’s name was used.
Chris Darlow, the executor of Lomu's estate, now has clearance to greenlight the documentary. This allows the story to be filmed by British production company Sylver Entertainment, along with New Zealand's Tahi Productions.
According to the promotional material, the film promises to explore both the light and dark facets of Lomu's life, showcasing his status as rugby's first global star. Co-director Vea Mafile'o emphasized the importance of honoring Lomu’s legacy, highlighting connections to their shared heritage.
Otto and Gavin Fitzgerald, the other co-director, are thrilled about how the film will explore Lomu’s complexity beyond just his sport career. It aims to narrate the deeply personal story of Lomu, who faced various personal challenges.
Part of the documentary will feature advanced training techniques via the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. The center trains dogs for search-and-rescue missions, which connects to another recently released documentary on Netflix titled "Inside the Mind of the Dog."
This series showcases the training methods of canines and how they can be taught to detect various scents, including human presence. It highlights the significance of these dogs and reveals their capability through specialized exercises.
The program at Penn Vet, founded by Cynthia Otto, combines science with dog training. The center develops unique scent-detection methods, aiming to train canine companions for critical tasks.
The film delves deep, allowing viewers insights on how dogs can distinguish scents effectively, even amid distractions. Such insightful documentaries paint real-life pictures of how human and canine relationships flourish based on training and instinct.
Each dog is selected based on their specific traits, with attributes like agility being focal points. The working dogs are taught routines similar to human workouts, showcasing their natural athleticism and helping them stay prepared for field duties.
Both Jonah Lomu’s life and the emerging vaccine documentary reveal the thirst for compelling stories and truths lying beneath the surface. These productions reflect society's ever-present tension between credible information and sensational narratives.
They serve to educate audiences and challenge misconceptions prevalent today. By highlighting these diverse subjects, the producers and contributors deep-dive, aiming for clarity, enlightenment, and genuine encounters with narratives from various spheres of life.
Filmmaking reflects the evolving perspective of society and encourages discussions surrounding misunderstood topics. Through documentaries, viewers are encouraged to question, learn, and engage with the world differently.
