A new film being screened at Brock is bringing to light a widespread global crisis the world knows little about.

Minutes to Die, Snakebite: The World’s Ignored Health Crisis details the experiences of victims of venomous snakebites and the treatments being developed to come to their aid.

Brock’s Department of Health Sciences is hosting the film’s Canadian premiere on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in TH 147.

The documentary takes viewers into the homes and hospital beds of snakebite victims around the world, into labs where scientists are developing new, improved and cost-effective treatments, and into a pivotal meeting of public health officials at the World Health Organization.

Unpacking the limitations of rural medical infrastructure, the economic challenges of anti-venom, and the financial devastation to the families of snakebite victims — who are often agricultural workers and children — the film makes clear the health issue is also an issue of poverty, inequity and social justice.

Following the film, a question and answer session will be held with director and producer James Reid, as well as researchers from the Lillian Lincoln Foundation and Brock University.

Admission is free.

RSVP for the screening on the event’s Facebook page.