The Boys whoes Skin Fell Off

'The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off' is a film documentary that follows the life of John Kennedy in his last 4 months of life. He sufferers from dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa which causes his skin to break away from his body at the slightest touch, this documentary provided a candid and very personal perspective of dying as well as well as living whilst also raising some sensitive and controversial issues.

Below is the link to the full documentary 
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-boy-whose-skin-fell-off/4od


One of the most prominent issues that is raised in this piece is the reality of life and living when faced with death. A question that came to mind when begging to watch this documnetry was is it morally wrong/right to document someones death in a media text? This question was present in my thoughts especially knowing the fact that this was broadcast on TV and is still available to watch now. The way the text is presented it comes across that John was heavily invloved with the filming process and the planning of how the documentry would be formed, in one scene he actually mentions that he wasn't going to die according to the schedule. This was said with humor but it does suggest that the specifics of his death was discussed in detail and what role it would play in the documentary coming from a tenchical aspect. Due to John's consent I feel that this documentary, depite being senetive did not cross any moral boundries. The boudries were pushesed  but from this bravery shown by both the documentary makers and John himself channel four were able to make a emotional but thought provoking piece. 
The documentray was able to show the stress that illness can place upon family relation ships and I feel that the way his family were represent by the media was appropriate and done well. Due to John's condition the majority of the attention has had to be on him and the film was able to show how this has effected his brother and mother. Out of context the attitudes of John's brothers could be viewed as selfish but with in the media piece John's emotions were able to provide insight and shed light on the fact that everyone's emotions are valid no matter of their situation.The documentary was presnenting John as a admarble character who appeared have a full fulling life however there were many things that were not present in his life that most of us take for granted. John's lack off romatic relationship were also touched on in the proccess of this documentary and at some points the framing and the camera angles shown were able to emphasize this further. I felt this was executed subtly but were still able to have a impact on the audiences emotions.   







With in media we the audience are often trying to relate to what we are being presented with and over I feel that documentaries of this nature are rather important. They are able to put life in to perspective for those of us who have perhaps lost sight of things or who have got wrapped up in materalism. I also feel they are able to provide comfort for those people who too have life threatening illness and can help them feel that they are not alone. These kinds of films are not all about death but they are also about living life and making the most of it.