Photo Flash: Meet the Doctors of ESCAPE FIRE Documentary, to Screen at Ridgefield Playhouse

On Saturday, September 29th at 7:30pm, the Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society - DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES presents ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE a film that tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time. The award-winning documentary, produced and directed by filmmakers Matt Heineman and Susan Froemke, reveals how American healthcare costs are rising so rapidly that they could reach $4.2 trillion annually within 10 years, roughly 20 percent of our gross domestic product.

It's not surprising that healthcare tops many Americans' concerns and is at the center of a political firestorm in our nation's Capitol. But the current battle over cost and access does not ultimately address the root of the problem: we have a disease-care system, not a healthcare system. This non-political documentary follows dramatic human stories as well as leaders fighting to transform healthcare at the highest levels of medicine, industry, government, and even the military. ESCAPE FIRE is about a way out, about saving the health of a nation.

The screening of ESCAPE FIRE is underwritten by Dr. Mitchell Prywes, The Center for Pain Rehabilitation, Dr. Jennifer Phelps and Dr. Richard Roseff. A distinguished panel of medical experts – Erin Martin, M.D., Pamela Ross, M.D., and Richard C. Niemtzow, M.D., Ph.D – physicians featured in the documentary "Escape Fire", will be on hand for the Q&A along with Victoria Veltri, JD.LLM, Health Advocate for the State of Connecticut. The hosts for the film are Morton Dean, EMMY Award winning television journalist and Dr. Mitchell Prywes.

Check out photos of the doctors on the panel below!

In 2012, in addition to being an "Official Selection" at the Sundance Film Festival, "Escape Fire" won the "Human Rights Award" at the Full Frame Film Festival; the "React to Film Social Issue Award." at the Silverdocs Film Festival; the "Best Director/ Best Documentary" award at the Newport Beach Film Festival, and awarded "Best Documentary" at the Berkshire Film Festival.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge Ave., Ridgefield, Conn. For information or to purchase reserved tickets, go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Emergency Room Physician, Dr Pamela Ross examines patient in ER at University of Virginia hospital in scene from "Escape Fire." Dr. Ross will appear at Q&A at the Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society screening on September 29th.

Dr. Erin Martin examines patient in an Oregon clinic in scene from "Escape Fire." DR. Martin will appear at Q&A at the Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society screening on September 29th.

US Air Force Colonel Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow applying acupuncture to patient in Washington, DC VA hospital in scene from "Escape Fire." Dr. Niemtzow will appear at Q&A at the Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society screening on Sept. 29th.