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Facing The Rising Sun – 50 Years of the Irish Haemophilia Society

Filmed over two years by Swedish – Bosnian writer / director, Goran Kapetanovic, ‘Facing the Rising Sun’ documents the first 50 years of the Irish Haemophilia Society.

Beginning in 1968, with the foundation of the society by members of the medical profession, people with haemophilia and their families and friends, to provide support and advice for members and to improve the quality of life for people with haemophilia, the documentary charts the rudimentary but improving treatment of the 1970’s, through to the devastation of the HIV and Hepatitis C contaminated blood scandal – which has led to the death of 112 people with haemophilia from the early 1980s to date – through struggles for safe treatment, compensation and tribunals to today, where Ireland leads the way in improvements to haemophilia treatment and the future looks bright.

Documenting the 50-year history of the Irish Haemophilia Society, ‘Facing the Rising Sun’ features fully restored archive footage, interviews with members, staff, former staff and volunteers, healthcare professionals and the people connected to this 50-year story.