“Our Time to Be Kind”, a Canadian documentary, is ostensibly a profile of Dr. Bonnie Henry the Provincial Health Officer of the Canadian province of British Columbia during that time of COVID pandemania where science and hysteria co-existed.
As a Torontonian, British Columbia is a 5-hour flight away but Dr. Bonnie Henry was often on Canadian national news where Canadians ex-British Columbia had the opportunity to see various of her press briefings and public announcements. I recall one press briefing where she was discussing what the effects of COVID could have on long term care facilities. She stopped her comments mid-stream making an effort not to sob and took some time to compose herself. A moment of heart-breaking vulnerability in vicious times and she forever captured the heart of many Canadians facing federal and provincial health officers many of whom appeared to more of technicians than compassionate human beings. When right wing and anti vaxxer hysteria combined with Trumpian and “Freedom Convoy” attacks and nonsense Dr. Henry remained, at least outwardly, a calming beacon. It was not that she had a terribly different message (and the same deleterious effects of public health orders) than other public health officials but it was delivered so calmly and with compassion most British Columbian’s gave her their trust. It is not so much the message but how it is delivered and Dr. Henry certainly was effective and of course her John Fluevog shoes and her love for AC DC made her appear so human. I think her sister summed up Henry by saying it was her vulnerability that made her powerful and allowing one to feel that we were all in this together.
Dr. Henry referenced a book by Susan Cain “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”. A great book! Although Dr. Henry did not declare her introvert status she certainly does not come across as an extrovert.
Politicians, journalists, and her sister Lynn provide insights on Dr. Henry and of course Dr. Henry herself. There is very little about her personal life other that she was born in Prince Edward Island lived in Toronto and started her career with the Canadian navy.
Dr. Henry is captured on and off the public camera during the COVID pandemic lending realism to the documentary. Bonnie Henry in real time so as to speak!
The opioid crisis ravaging British Columbia and response of Dr. Henry to it appears inadequately dealt with in the documentary and awkward film making as is the political and ideological agenda of Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Indigenous Health Dr. Danièle Behn Smith.
“Our time to be kind” is not only the mantra of Dr. Henry but perhaps for all of us not only during a public health crisis but as a way of life. “Our Time to Be Kind” is set to world premiere at the Victoria Film Festival on 8February2024 where Dr. Henry and some participants featured in the film will be in attendance. The film was directed, written and produced by Adrian Buitenhuis.
Prior to reviewing “Our Time to Be Kind” I had the pleasure to review a Bonnie Henry Chardonnay released by British Columbia Winery Meyer Family Vineyards. You can read the review here https://a-little-birdie-told-me.ca/2021/05/21/meyer-family-vineyards-a-covid-themed-dr-bonnie-henry-chardonnay-from-british-columbia/
RKS 2024 Film Rating 82/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 