Cape Town - Screenwriter, director and producer of The Healer, Paco Arango, is donating all of the film’s revenue to help children with cancer all over the world.
In South Africa, the proceeds will be donated to the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), the only organisation in the country that provides comprehensive nationwide support for children with cancer, and their families.
The Healer is a drama-comedy film in which a troubled young man discovers that he has a mysterious and unwanted ability to heal people. He meets a teenage girl with cancer who convinces him to embrace his gift.
It has already been a major hit in Spain, Mexico, Central America, and Colombia, and it won the 2018 José María Forqué Award for Values and Education (Educación en Valores) in film.
MORE ABOUT THE MOVIE
The Healer tells the story of a gambling, womanising, bankrupt electrical repairman named Alex Bailey (Oliver Jackson Cohen) who is traumatised by the death of his twin brother.
His distant uncle Raymond Heacock (Jonathan Pryce) offers to absolve his debts under the condition that he agrees to live with him in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With no alternatives, Alec accepts and embarks on a life-changing journey as his uncle reveals that he comes from a long-time family of healers with the gift of being able to heal all those who are diseased.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
The Healer is the first film to donate proceeds to children with serious illnesses. “It’s a heart-warming film for the whole family with a positive and hopeful message,” says Helen Kuun, MD of Indigenous Film Distribution. “The story is authentic, thought-provoking and inspiring. It strikes just the right note during the season of giving.”
The film is dedicated to Paul Newman, the legendary actor and philanthropist, who three decades ago started a free camp for kids with cancer. ‘
The Healer opens in SA cinemas on Friday, 7 December.