Bending the Arc (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Bending the Arc is a 2017 documentary directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, starring Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl and Agnes Binagwaho. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $36,586 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Directors
- Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Abramorama
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Bending the Arc About?
The premise of Bending the Arc without spoilers.
This documentary follows a group of dedicated doctors and activists as they work to transform healthcare in a remote Haitian village. Over three decades, their grassroots initiative expands into a global movement, facing increasing challenges and highlighting the fight for essential, life-saving medical care. The film explores their commitment and the impact of their work on a community in need.
Bending the Arc Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- battle
Bending the Arc Cast
Paul Farmer leads the cast, with Ophelia Dahl and Agnes Binagwaho. Directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Co-director Kief Davidson -
Co-director Pedro Kos
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Paul Farmer as themselves - Ophelia Dahl as themselves
- Agnes Binagwaho as themselves
- Catherine Betrand-Farmer as themselves
Also Starring in Bending the Arc
· 6 more- Cesar Bonilla Themselves
- Heureuse Charles Themselves
- Jaime Bayona Themselves
- Jim Yong Kim Themselves
- Marcella Davies Themselves
- Rosa Celi Themselves
More from Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos
More films directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, best-rated first: The Devil's Miner, The Ivory Game, The White House Effect and A LEGO Brickumentary.
Bending the Arc Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Bending the Arc 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (75).
Bending the Arc Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Bending the Arc excels as an uplifting documentary that highlights perseverance over institutional obstacles. It synthesizes archival footage and present-day interviews to maintain a coherent and engaging narrative across decades. The film achieves consistent emotional resonance by focusing on the real-life dedication of its subjects, though occasional shifts into a sentimental score can feel overemphasized. On balance, it offers a compelling and instructive look at global health advocacy with enduring inspirational value.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of cinematography and editing, the film delivers crisp framing of archival sequences and present-day interviews, lending clarity to its historical narrative. Direction remains focused and unobtrusive, while editing weaves disparate time periods into a cohesive whole. Occasional use of promotional-style montages introduces a hint of artifice. Overall, the film presents a polished yet straightforward visual craft.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character depth and emotional engagement, the documentary presents its protagonists with measured care, allowing their personal commitment to emerge naturally. Interviews convey authentic motivation and camaraderie among the healthcare advocates. With minimal dramatization, the film fosters empathy for its subjects. Overall, these nuanced portrayals anchor the narrative in genuine human resolve.
- Story & Flow 85
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the film unfolds in a clear chronological structure that maintains momentum across decades. It balances historical context with personal anecdotes, avoiding informational overload. Occasional narrative repetition slightly diminishes forward drive, but thematic consistency ensures engagement. Overall, the story remains compelling in illustrating sustained action against systemic barriers.
- Sensory Experience 75
In the realm of sensory experience, visual continuity is strengthened by high-quality archival footage and well-lit interview settings. The overall aesthetic remains restrained, complementing the subject matter. By contrast, the musical score occasionally adopts a heavy-handed tone that competes with on-screen testimony. Overall, the film’s auditory design is serviceable but at times overstates its emotional cues.
- Rewatch Factor 80
In terms of rewatch potential and lasting appeal, the documentary’s inspirational narrative invites repeated viewing for its educational value. The dedication of its subjects and the unfolding global health breakthroughs retain relevance. While some stylistic choices feel documentary-standard, the core story continues to resonate. Overall, the film offers enduring insight for audiences revisiting its themes.
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IMDb 8.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 79% User score
See on TMDB
Bending the Arc Box Office
Bending the Arc grossed $36,586 worldwide. $21,907 came from the US and Canada and $14,679 (40%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$36.6K
- US & Canada
- $21.9K
- International
- $14.7K
Seen Bending the Arc?
Movies Like Bending the Arc
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including A Story of Healing, Doctored and Remote Area Medical.
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A Story of Healing 1997 -
Doctored 2012 -
Remote Area Medical 2014 -
As the Call, So the Echo 2006 -
Douvan Jou Ka Leve 2017 -
Our Bodies Are Your Battlefields 2021 -
Rewind 2020 -
The Heart of Nuba 2018 -
Aftershock 2022 -
The Agronomist 2004 -
Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders 2008 -
Fire in the Blood 2013
Bending the Arc FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bending the Arc, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Bending the Arc?
Bending the Arc runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Bending the Arc released?
Bending the Arc was released on October 6, 2017.
Who directed Bending the Arc?
Bending the Arc was directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos.
More films by Kief Davidson Who is in the cast of Bending the Arc?
Bending the Arc stars Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl and Agnes Binagwaho, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Bending the Arc make at the box office?
Bending the Arc grossed $36,586 worldwide ($21,907 domestic, $14,679 international).
How is Bending the Arc rated?
Bending the Arc has 8.0/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.
Does Bending the Arc have a post-credit scene?
No. Bending the Arc has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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