The First Wave
Fighting one of the greatest threats the world has ever seen
With exclusive access inside one of New York’s hardest hit hospital systems during the terrifying first four months of the pandemic, Oscar nominated and Emmy® Award-winning director Matthew Heineman’s THE FIRST WAVE spotlights the everyday heroes at the epicenter of COVID-19 as they come together to fight one of the greatest threats the world has ever encountered. Leaving a devastating trail of death and despair, this once-in-a-century pandemic changed the very fabric of our daily lives and exposed long-standing inequities in our society. Employing his signature approach of character-driven cinema vérité, Heineman embeds with a group of doctors, nurses and patients on the frontlines as they all desperately try to navigate the crisis. With each distinct storyline serving as a microcosm through which we can view the emotional and societal impacts of the pandemic, THE FIRST WAVE is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Director
Matthew Heineman
Producer
Matthew Heinenman, Jenna Millman, and Leslie Norville
Runtime
94 Minutes
Captions Available
English
Language
English
Press
“It’s both a vital piece of historical record that bravely captures the unseen horrors of the pandemic and a generous celebration of human dignity whose existence feels miraculous.”
- Variety
“The First Wave” understands the way that individuals frequently can only process events in personal terms and amplifies that understanding in order to create a broader portrait of loss, and to create and encourage empathy to persevere in spite of it.”
- The Wrap
“It’s also a breathtaking testament to the fight to live, the calling to heal, and the power of human connection.”
- The Hollywood Reporter
Festival & Awards
WINNER – EMMY AWARD, Best Documentary
Official Selection – HAMPTONS International Film Festival
Official Selection – DOC NYC Film Festival
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