(Im)Patient


Patient is a 2021 Chilean drama film written and directed by Constanza Fernández Bertrand. It is based on the book El paciente: La medicina cuestionada by Miguel Kottow. Starring Héctor Noguera accompanied by Amparo Noguera, Naldy Hernández, Emilia Noguera, Diego Casanueva, Daniel Muñoz, Paola Giannini and Gabriela Aguilera.

Synopsis

After being diagnosed with a syndrome that progressively paralyzes his entire body, Sergio Graf will fight to take an active role in his healing, this time as a patient and not as a doctor. This is the journey of his bodily deterioration, the loss of his security, and the opportunity to reconcile with his closest environment: his family.

Cast

The actors participating in this film are:
  • Héctor Noguera as Sergio Graf
  • Amparo Noguera as Milena Fariña
  • Naldy Hernández as Nora
  • Emilia Noguera as Tisca Graf
  • Diego Casanueva as Javier Graf
  • Daniel Muñoz as Boris
  • Paola Giannini as Fisiatra
  • Gabriela Aguilera as Dr. Vásquez

    Production

took place in three hospitals in Chile between October and December 2019.

Release

Patient had its world premiere on October 9, 2021, at the Busan International Film Festival. It was commercially released on May 12, 2022, in Chilean theaters.

Reception

Critical reception

Paula Bustamante from Bitácora de Cine favorably criticizes the film's story, which becomes very crude, but there are moments very well achieved for acid humor, managing to move the viewer. Ana Catalina Castillo from Culturizarte highlights the film's ability to make the viewer identify with the main character, although it can become overexplanatory at times. Carolina Benavente from El Agente Cine wrote: "patient is suggestive and accomplished, serious and playful at the same time, with few potholes that betray a kind of craftsmanship linked to what has already been described."

Accolades