Don't leave me (Never let me go)

Production and Year: USA, UK, 2010Genre: Sci-Fi DramaDirector: Mark Romanek Screenplay: Alex Garland Music: Rachel Portman Cinematography: Adam Kimmel Cast: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley Medical Theme: Organ Transplants Description: "Never Let Me Go" is a film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of the same title, described as a dystopia about love and coming of age. In terms of content, the film remains faithful to the book; the minor changes made to the plot do not affect the audience’s reception or the film’s message. In the opening scenes, we meet Kathy H., the film’s protagonist, who is aware of her impending death and looks back on her life. Together with her, we return to her childhood spent at the unique Hailsham school alongside her friends—Ruth and Tommy—and to their time in the cottages, a transitional period between a carefree life and the decision to become a caretaker of donors or a donor themselves. The film conveys the characters’ pain and helplessness in the face of the situation they were created for far more clearly than the book does. They look and feel like people, but they are not treated like people. They long to live normally, but they cannot find the strength within themselves, nor do they see a way to fight for it. They are viewed as soulless creatures, machines for growing organs and keeping them ready for donation. The atmosphere of overwhelming sadness is underscored by Rachel Portman’s superb soundtrack. The film makes you think and ask questions. I highly recommend it!