By Madison Brown |Online/Design EditorThe Cinema Series at Augusta University started the new year by screening the film, 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. The movie, directed by George C. Wolfe, was based on the biography written by author Rebecca Skloot.The film follows Rebecca Skloot and Deborah Lacks, portrayed by Rose Byrne and Oprah Winfrey respectively, as they try to piece together the life of Henrietta Lacks.Throughout the film, we can see Henrietta’s story slowly unfolding. She was a poor black tobacco farmer who went to Johns Hopkins hospital in search of a treatment for cervical cancer. While undergoing treatment, the doctors took some of her cancer cells – without her knowledge – so they could run experiments on them. The doctors discovered that her cells, abbreviated as HeLa cells, could survive and multiply outside of the body. With this discovery, scientists were able to make several groundbreaking medical advances, such as the vaccination for polio and treatments for diseases like herpes, influenza, cancer and AIDS.The film has several breathtaking moments, particularly in Oprah Winfrey’s portrayal of Henrietta Lacks daughter, Deborah. With every story that she told, Winfrey was able to captivate the audience effortlessly. When telling the story of the assault that Deborah faced at the hands of her cousin, Winfrey’s performance was so raw and captivating that it almost seemed as if the theater had been transported to the barn where Deborah told her story and that every member of the audience stood there crying along with her.The film does its job of telling Henrietta’s story, but it also does an amazing job of telling her family’s story. With each member of Henrietta’s family showing such authentic emotion, whether it was outrage or sadness, at the loss of Henrietta and her stolen cells, the film manages to spark all of those feelings in the audience as well. We felt the same outrage that Deborah, Lawrence, and Zakariyya felt at the stolen HeLa cells and we felt that deep, aching sadness at never really getting to know the woman who was behind all of the groundbreaking medical advances that we have today.All in all, the film leaves nothing to be desired. Henrietta Lacks’ story was told in full, and there is no doubt that she will continue to live her life immortal life. At least now, the woman behind the HeLa cells has gotten the recognition that she deserves. Contact Madison Brown at madbrown@augusta.edu