The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017) is a poignant biographical drama that delves into the untold story of a woman whose cells changed the course of medical history. Based on the bestselling book by Rebecca Skloot, the film follows Deborah Lacks (played by Oprah Winfrey), the daughter of Henrietta Lacks, as she teams up with a journalist to uncover the truth about her mother’s life, legacy, and scientific contributions.
Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951, unknowingly became the source of the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa cells. These cells, taken without her consent, became an invaluable tool in groundbreaking medical research, leading to advancements such as the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, and in-vitro fertilization.
The movie intertwines the scientific triumphs of HeLa cells with the Lacks family’s struggle to reclaim their mother’s identity and demand justice for the exploitation of her legacy. Through a blend of emotional depth and historical inquiry, the film raises profound ethical questions about consent, race, and the commodification of the human body, making it a thought-provoking tribute to the woman behind the scientific revolution.
