Institute Film Screening Success

The Institute's new Interim Director, Professor Andrew Hayward, started the evening by giving an eye-opening presentation about the extent of the world's wealth gap, and the effect this has on health and social/personal attainment. After nibbles and refreshments, the assorted audience settled down to watch Dartmouth Films' The Divide, a documentary directed by Katherine Round which details the lives of seven US and UK citizens, ranging from a Wall Street psychologist and a homemaker from a gated community to KFC and Walmart workers, a struggling rapper and a carer.   

The disparate lives, hopes and ambitions of the people chronicled struck a chord with those present, and as Professor Hayward commented beforehand, it is up to those with a social conscience to look at why such situations occur, and what can be done to rectify them. Although hard-hitting, the film was enjoyed by all, and much discussion was had over drinks afterwards. Indeed, such was the success of the event that the Institute is hoping to host further screenings of population health-related films in the future. If you have any suggestions, let us know!