East Coast Premiere

British neurosurgeon Henry Marsh resides in South London and has a practice at the local hospital nearby. But over the past 16 years, he has spent several weeks annually in Ukraine performing brain surgeries. In a country where neurosurgery barely exists, he passes on his knowledge—and suitcases of equipment—to his friend Dr. Igor Kurilets. Marsh’s extraordinary surgical skills are matched by his ability to teach; he is passing on knowledge that can save and improve hundreds more lives.

Marsh developed a friendship with Ukrainian surgeon Dr. Igor Kurilets, and ever since, he has traveled to Kiev regularly, bringing equipment and his expertise to assist Dr. Kurilets in developing Kiev’s best neurological clinic—which falls far short of Western standards.

THE ENGLISH SURGEON follows Dr. Marsh on one of his visits, documenting the steep challenges to, and need for, improved care in Ukraine. The doctors treat patients with extraordinarily dangerous diseases under grueling conditions. They are often forced to improvise for a lack of equipment, such as performing one surgery with a Bosch cordless home power drill.

Filled with heartbreaking as well as life-affirming moments, THE ENGLISH SURGEON is a film that, at its core, is a story of good intentions gone awry—a story that has largely gone unsaid until this film. Marsh is a passionate, deep, and reflective man, providing terrific insight into his work and the personal costs to him. All of the world should have such a doctor.

-D.B. Garland