Beating Superbugs Better: Can We Win?

An informative documentary about bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, which are also called superbugs.

There are certain bacteria that are immune to medicines, which makes treatment harder and therefore increases the possibility of death and disease spread. Through interviews with experts on bacteria and animation, this film explores in depth how these bacteria are created, how they spread and what is being done in order to fight them and the results are intriguing and worrying. It is revealed that millions of people around the world lose their lives to these bacteria and that if solutions are not found, the consequences will be severe.

A number of the most hazardous bacteria are examined, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Tuberculosis. The film looks into how these diseases affect people through the use of animation that involves bacteria and molecules and through interviews of individuals who have suffered and recovered from the bacteria. The former patient interviewees include Tom Patterson, who was infected while travelling in Egypt and he, along with his wife Steffanie Strathdee and the other survivors share their dramatic experiences.

Apart from the survivors, the list of interviewees includes Global Economist Jim O'Neill, Antibiotic Developer and Infectious Disease Expert John Rex and other experts whose knowledge puts together an image of the global situation with superbugs.

There are often animated sequences that involve 3D Animation and they (along with the voice-over that is provided by Fiona M. Hughes) are quite helpful in understanding how bacteria work.

William Mudge also worked on the creative editing and the result is great and even better with the addition of Christopher Rife's music.

This is certainly an interesting documentary that is also shocking due to the revelations that it contains. It raises awareness of antimicrobial resistance and points out that its occurs mainly because of people's irresponsible actions and suggests that efforts are required from everyone in order to prevent bacteria from spreading.