Blood Brother (2013)

This is one of the most remarkable, emotionally-stirring, heartwarming, unbelievable, unlikely, thoughtful, kind, and tender documentaries I’ve ever seen. And I’m not speaking in hyperbole. It’s in the same class as So Much, So Fast and A Long Night’s Journey Into Day (both of which, if you haven’t seen, you need to immediately), in terms of emotional weight and overall impact.

Rocky’s (named Robin at birth, which his grandfather thought too feminine, so re-christened him “Rocky”) in his late 20s/early 30s, and looks a lot like the Foo Fighters Dave Grohl. He grew up in Ohio, but now lives in Pittsburgh. A thoughtful, gentle kid, he’s unsure what he wants to do with his life. So he visits India, and while there somehow stumbles upon an orphanage for HIV-positive kids and women (what could possibly be more heartrending, right?).

Rocky begins volunteering at the center, and seems to have found his vocation in helping kids. He stays in humble dwellings, in order to not project an air of Western superiority. He’s viewed by skeptical local villagers as an outsider, but takes to the children immediately.

The movie’s as much about them as it is the American visitor. Though desperately sick, they aren’t victims. They’re just like most other kids, rowdy, playful, silly, high-energy. In fact, I’ve never seen children smile so brightly. Their eyes sparkle with happiness and optimism. And they love Rocky, calling him “Rocky anna” (or “Rocky big brother”).

Rocky’s incredibly loving and giving with the kids. They climb all over him like a tree, drag him to the ground, and generally bathe him in affection. He’s a latter-day Mother Theresa, giving them all his energy and devotion. Unlike most of us, he’s unfazed by the potential dangers of their illness. He wrestles with them on the floor. He oils their dry skin, and cleans their wounds when their blisters weep. To earn their trust, he even shares his plate with them. He’s as committed to these kids as anyone could be.

Because AIDS is such a horrible disease, children inevitably become sick and die, which takes an emotional toll on not only Rocky, but also the filmmakers. There’s no pretense that they maintain a safe distance from their subjects; there’s hardly a way to look at this story dispassionately. The emotional weight is so overwhelming Rocky’s uncertain he can continue, knowing that this grim reality will be a constant. Who has the emotional wherewithal to choose to develop these intimate bonds, only to know many of the kids will ultimately die far too young?

Through it all, Rocky tries to keep the kids spirits’ up. What’s incredible is how much they buoy his.

Footage for Blood Brother was shot by Rocky’s best friend/director Steve Hoover. After Rocky’s been at the nursery for three years, Steve visits and is blown away by what he discovers, so decides to film it. The movie’s made up of countless shots of kids smiling faces, juxtaposed with India’s abject poverty. It’s colors are vibrant and rich. There are slo-mo scenes of simple pleasures, like kids learning to read, playing with toys, and eating birthday cake.

The storytelling isn’t always perfect. There’s a subplot where Rocky pursues a romantic relationship with an Indian woman, which fades sporadically in and out of the story. She’s just suddenly there, then gone, then back. It’s confusing. Also, the topic sometimes feels bigger than this film. It can’t always encompass the enormity of children living with AIDS. But it tries, and what it does show is filled with emotion.

This film is so profound and affecting, it made me wonder “what the hell am I doing with my life that's so great? Why am I not helping terminally ill children???” it also made me wonder why it hadn’t made a bigger impression upon its release. It’s so affecting and so perfectly poetic, for about the first half hour I wondered if it was scripted, and not really a documentary. Large portions of the film are composed of a zillion shots quickly edited together, which adds to the energy of the joyous shots, but can at times feel like an MTV video. Still, it’s a small criticism in a film this uncommon.

It’s hard to overstate the visceral impact of Blood Brother.\ It’s sincerity and innocence are undeniably poignant. The children’s warmth and energy are irresistible. Rocky’s enthusiasm and dedication to the kids is inspiring. In one scene Rocky talks about how he can at times be arrogant and impatient, but he hopes he’s teaching the kids worthwhile lessons. What’s truly amazing is how just much they’re teaching him.