'Road Rebellion' Director Hernan Barangan on the Realities of Teen Cancer
More From Teen Cancer America
In 2015, filmmaker and leukemia survivor Hernan Barangan set out on a quest to film the voices of young cancer patients from every state in the country. The resulting short documentary, “Road Rebellion,” follows Barangan as he aims to change the face of U.S. healthcare for teenagers and young adults with cancer, creating a lasting legacy for the young people of the future. The documentary will air on KCET on Saturday, October 8 as part of the special programming lineup, "Roger Daltrey Presents: Teen Cancer America" featuring the front man for The Who, Roger Daltrey, speaking about raising awareness for the special needs of teenage cancer patients through his non-profit organization, Teen Cancer America. The special lineup kicks off at 8:00 p.m. with the documentary "Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who" followed by “Road Rebellion.”
KCET spoke with director Hernan Barangan about the challenges he encountered while filming his documentary and what life is like after a cancer diagnosis at such a young age.
What do you hope that someone who has not been affected by cancer takes away from your film?
Hernan Barangan: Throughout making this film, one of my biggest goals has been to reach those who have no experience with cancer whatsoever. If I can give them a better understanding of what it’s like to have cancer -- then everybody is a little more prepared for the moment when someone they know actually is diagnosed.
My hope is that this dispels a lot of the fear that comes in that moment. So that everybody is more equipped emotionally to support that person who has been diagnosed.
What kind of challenges did you encounter in getting your subjects to open up about their experiences for the film?
HB: The fact that I’m a cancer survivor goes a long way towards forging a bond while we’re filming. Still, every interview has its own challenges. It’s up to me to find that one moment when both my interviewee and I forget completely that we are filming. Our sessions usually feel more like storytelling hangouts -- and usually an interview will run for 2 hours or more.
How did the home and social life change for your subjects while they were going through cancer treatment?
You get diagnosed with cancer and it’s like being airlifted into a completely different life.
HB: Obviously every situation is unique, but overall the story goes like this: You get diagnosed with cancer and it’s like being airlifted into a completely different life. The dynamic in your family is changed forever. You’re afraid or sad or in pain but you can never let it show because you have to protect your family from what you’re going through. Maybe you have siblings and they have a whole other set of emotions to deal with. Now you’ve got all the attention of your parents -- where does it leave them? And what about your school friends?
In this age group, how can anyone expect them to react well to the news that you have cancer? Many stay away because they have no idea how to act around you anymore. A good friend will step up and face the challenge with you. Either way, they’ll never look at you the same.
It’s an age when home and social life are already in flux to begin with. Adding cancer to that just makes it so much more complicated.
When you're young you often feel invincible. What does a cancer diagnosis at this age teach you about life?
I remember looking to the future and feeling two things: that life is so fragile and it can all be taken away at any moment, and that every moment is the most precious gold.
HB: When I was fresh out of treatment -- and cancer free -- I remember looking to the future and feeling two things: that life is so fragile and it can all be taken away at any moment, and that every moment is the most precious gold.
I had this ecstatic feeling that the world is a playground and I was here -- I beat cancer -- I could do anything. I was afraid that as the years passed I would forget that. But this perspective that you gain as a young person who has faced death -- it sticks with you as long as you ask it to. Over the years, for me, it has evolved into a pretty unique understanding of the world.
I hope with my filmmaking a little of that spark can be passed to audiences everywhere.
Interview edited for brevity and clarity. Watch a preview of "Road Rebellion" below:
