Sicko- Suman Varghese

Larissa Gerow was only 21 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer. Four years later she was biking down the street when a truck ran a red light. She happened to be in the way.

Instantly her neck broke, leaving her in intensive care for over a month and confining her to a wheelchair for life. Yet Gerow, now 29, is grateful.

Grateful for the health care system that saved her life. Twice. Free of charge.
So when she heard about Sicko, a new documentary about healthcare, she was excited to see the movie. When she heard that the filmmaker, Michael Moore, was coming to London to premiere it, she knew she had to be there.

Gerow was one of hundreds of people who lined the steps in front of Masonville’s Silvercity Theatre on Friday to see the guests arrive for the 7 p.m. Canadian premiere of the film.

Moore arrived to cheers from the crowd. He posed for pictures, signed autographs and answered questions as he walked down the red carpet.

“I ended up shooting a number of scenes in the film here in London so I thought this was the appropriate place to be in,” said Moore, who didn’t shy away from questions when asked about Canada’s role in the film.

“You as Canadians have as a very core belief that it’s a human right--if you get sick--to see a doctor and not have to worry about paying for it. And our belief [as Americans] is if you get sick--fix your own damn problem. And I don’t want to live in a country that has that attitude.”

An appearance was also made by Shirley Douglas, daughter of Tommy Douglas--founder of the Canadian Medicare system.

“I’m very excited to see [the film]. I am the first one to say that we need enormous improvements made in the health care system, but I do not want it to become what the American health system has become,” said Douglas.

Few people have yet to see the film as it only opens in theatres on June 29. However, those who had seen it through private screenings were full of praise. Richard Crouse, film critic for CTV’s Canada AM and also the host of Friday’s premiere, said he loved the film.

“I walked out of the theatre and kissed the ground, glad to be Canadian.”