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In Burkina Faso, there is a bacterium that eats away the facial tissue of children from 0 to six within several weeks. They suffer greatly and 90% of those infected die. The others are horribly disfigured by a gangrene-like effect which starts at the mouth and leaves them smelling horribly and unable to eat. Like the bearers of a curse, they are hidden from view. Noma is the sickness of absurdity and ignorance. One need only recognize the early symptoms to treat it with basic broad-spectrum antibiotics. With the means at hand, two French surgeons undertook their second volunteer surgical mission in January 2002. The aim: operate on the spot, train local surgeons; mobilize antibiotic manufacturers and European reconstructive surgery centers. We follow some of these children from their lives as outcasts until their return home after reconstructive surgery, as well as the local women who look for these concealed children in the bush.

France - 2003 - 52 mn - Betacam Digital - Colour

Director Catherine Hume Script Catherine Hume Camera Pierre Beaumard, Stéphane Rossi, Désiré Zida Sound Jean-Paul Bosch, Sam Lallé Editing Brigitte Delahaie

Production Gédéon Programmes, 155, rue de Charonne, Bât. C, 75011 Paris, France Tél : +33 (0) 1 5525 5946 Fax : +33 (0)1 5525 5900 E-mail : jbablon@gedeonprogrammes.com Co-Production France 3

Sales Terranoa, 155, rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France Tél : +33 (0)1 5525 5942 Fax : +33 (0)1 5525 5903 E-mail : contact@terranoa.com