The best medicine

A boy lifts his face to the sun, relishes the warmth of it on his skin. A moment of gratitude for life that is rare among children – they’re not usually faced with their own mortality. 

It’s just one of the gently powerful moments in this poignant film directed by Charlotte Regan through aco-production of OPC Films & Knuckleheadand, created by agency Cossette Toronto. 

McDonald’s charity of choice, RMHC provides free accommodation to families while their child is in hospital and the film, titled Family is Medicine, gently depicts the support that parents and siblings can give the patient – and each other by being together. 

It's a dignified wordless journey through all the emotions encountered: fear, hope, unexpected moments of humour – the worst anxiety a parent can experience is expressed through a moving scene of mum and dad pictured staring blankly into space at a laundrette. 

Though the subtle motif of home is symbolised by the toy tortoise the boy carries with him, ultimately, the film is about love and life. Beautiful.