When do ideals die? When do our hopes fade into the realities of the system? For most everyone, we give up at least some of our naïve dreams in the steady march of our daily grind. But what of doctors, the people entrusted to help save our lives and protect our health? What happens when the will to heal and serve meets the frustrating realities of American health care? Ryan McGarry, a first time filmmaker, who is also a doctor at the hospital, directs the film. He provides a personal account of the residents who train and work at LA County Hospital as they are forced to confront the unexpected realities of life and death in a safety net, and a healthcare system at the brink of overload. Doctor and director McGarry joins us for a lively conversation on wearing two hats and what can be done to save our failing health care system.

“A vigorous companion piece to Peter Nicks’s revealing 2012 documentary, “The Waiting Room,” “Code Black” (the title describes the emergency room’s saturation point) is a keening cri de coeur.” – Jeannette Catsoullis, New York Times

“What will pull viewers in is the empathy of the healthcare workers who battle to retain their idealism in the face of staggering obstacles.” – Ernest Hardy, Village Voic

“Electrifying. A remarkably candid and kinetic documentary about emergency medicine that could have only been done by an ER doctor.” – Wall Street Journal

For news and updates on Code Black go to: codeblackmovie.com