Director Gianluca Matarrese presented a documentary about endocrinologist Maurizio Bini, who works in an Italian hospital. Following the screening of The Good Doctor, in which Bini appears as the central figure, both joined the audience for a discussion. Bini treats patients who have trouble conceiving as well as those undergoing transition. The relationship between a doctor and patient must be deeply personal and confidential, just as the bond between a filmmaker and the subject portrayed in their film. “We created a safe environment. The film is our little baby that has united us forever,” the director said, both playfully and sincerely, as he shared easy banter with the charismatic doctor during the post-screening discussion.
Bini went on to describe the circumstances of the film’s creation: “An anthropologist wanted to write a book about transition. She contacted a gynaecologist, one of my students. He referred her to me. She contacted me, and since she also knew the filmmakers, I suddenly had a writer and directors sitting in my office.” At first, he doubted filming would be possible, he couldn’t imagine any of his patients being willing to open up on camera. But he was pleasantly surprised because many were eager to share their pain and experience, hoping their stories could help a lot of others. The camera breaths in and out with the patients. Some participants shared naturally, some were fascinated by the film equipment, some liked to show off.
“Everything is observational, we didn’t stage anything. We always kept to the periphery with the camera so as not to disrupt the hospital’s operations. For them, the film is about care and human relationships within the hospital; I didn’t want to intrude on their private lives. Our lenses were set to capture details from a distance. We were like birds in a tree, watching without interfering, but you always subconsciously know they’re there. We didn't want to be stalkers,” the director described the stylistic method.
