Jeremie Saunders was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby. Predicted life expectancy: 25 years old. He’s already made it past that, perhaps driven by his intense, infectious lust for life, as laid out in the documentary SICKBOY, which follows the creation, evolution and success of the popular Halifax-based podcast he does with friends Brian Stever and Taylor MacGillivray that speaks frankly and with humour about illness.
Directed by Andrew MacCormack and photographed beautifully by MacCormack and Paul McCurdy, SICKBOY presents Saunders as a wholly empathetic, sensitive person who never comes off as earnest or pitying; to call the trio’s friendship a “bromance” feels both pithy and extremely accurate—there are several scenes of them crying together over the loss of past guests (including Halifax actor Matthew Amyotte) and generally being very straightforward with their feelings about Saunders’ illness, and as his wife Bryde puts it, “expiry date.”
SICKBOY the podcast’s success is an inspiration on its own—taking a taboo subject, putting it under a light, and illuminating it for everyone. But seeing Saunders—who despite his yoga-teacher physique and great hair is actually an ill person, which the film does not shy away from showing—and company become energized and humbled by their heart-driven platform, which continues to succeed from a local basement, is invigorating.
Check out the podcast here.
