SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is clinically defined as a group of inherited disorders that affect the body’s connective tissue, with severe forms of the disease known as vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which can see the rupturing of blood vessels, intestines, and even the uterus. However, as Andrew Abrahams’ Complicated shows us, it’s not that simple.
People suffering from EDS often appear normal. So normal, in fact, you’d never believe they were chronically ill. Indeed, most of those suffering from EDS don’t even know that they are unconsciously sitting atop a biological time bomb with potentially fatal consequences.
In the cases of most of the stories of the children and young adults profiled in the film, they all grew up leading relatively active and regular healthy lives until their internal chemistry was thrown into chaos with the arrival of puberty. This is the time when EDS rears its ugly head. Appearing like an earthquake, its aftermath can range from simple tremors and aftershocks to complete structural failure with catastrophic side effects.
“…most of those suffering from EDS don’t even know that they are unconsciously sitting atop a biological time bomb…”
Cases on the lower end of the spectrum experience constant chronic pain, while their counterparts on the far end are bedridden and burdened by hospital visits and an unending need for surgical intervention. We learn that it is here that families with sufferers of EDS are exposed to gross and life-altering accusations and miscarriages of justice, as the parents of some of these children are accused of medical child abuse, implying that the parents are somehow prolonging, and some instances, encouraging the sickly state children.
Complicated also points an accusing finger at the obtuse and inflexible nature and attitudes of the medical community, which seem unwilling to expand their knowledge and better educate themselves on the greater complexities and causes of EDS. Thankfully, there is enough evidence that has been gathered to finally pinpoint and identify some of the roots of the syndrome with hopes it will lead to, at best, early detection and, more optimistically, prevention and treatment.
It is both inspiring and heart-wrenching as we experience the ritualistic grind of those suffering from EDS and how it affects all the lives surrounding the patient. Each of the young people featured embarks on a voyage of courage and pain as they lay their lives bare. This produces many a sobering moment captured by Abrahams in this picture. The finite nature of our existence holds gravity enough when one reaches maturity to look at it from a different perspective. But if all your life is spent confined, infirm, and enfeebled, it is harder to gauge the road ahead and the path already taken. Especially when you feel compelled to embrace each moment like it could potentially be your last, because it could be.
Finally, Complicated is a powerful film. Serving as a collection of resounding voices, which will speak to inform the world at large, not just of the nature and depths of EDS, but of those who smile though their hearts and bodies are breaking and dying. An equally big shout-out too needs to go to the parents and caregivers, who, while they may not share the disease, are not spared the pain and personal anguish that is part and parcel of all the lives of those afflicted by it.
Complicated screened at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival.
"…both inspiring and heart-wrenching..."
