What does a society’s outlook on sickness and death say about it? This fascinating essay by director Ira A. Goryainova surveys history and cultures as the basis for a philosophical exploration of the human body as a political metaphor. From the ancient theory of black bile to Susan Sontag’s reflections on how we come to blame the sick, Bile illustrates numerous ideas using medical archives as well as more personal material. The skilfully assembled collage makes intriguing connections between physical affection and the social cancer of the 20th century, fascism. Ironically noting the historical links between chemotherapy and mustard gas, the film asks a troubling question: is war as natural to humanity as sickness is to the body? (Charlotte Selb)

Bile