Ellen Andries’ documentary directing debut. Together with her husband, filmmaker Thomas Maddens, they set out to capture a personal and intimate story of their battle with the chronic illness: Endometriosis. Ellen’s quality of life, their relationship and hope of starting a family are plunged into uncertainty by a dark and mysterious monster and the path to a better life.
They decided to turn the cameras on themselves, not just for themselves, but for the over 200 million women (and their partners) who share the same struggles and for those who don’t even know the reason for their pain yet. As a first step, they want to create a groundswell of awareness and allow women to speak openly about this chronic illness. To break the taboo, to move the needle…
** Summer 2020 Release
In the summer of 2020, the online release of MyEndo went viral in Belgium. Not just online, but print news, magazines, and TV programs were not talking about Covid-19 for a change, but instead about another mysterious disease: Endometriosis.
** 2021 Update:
Since the film was released, UZ Leuven has seen a tenfold increase in Endometriosis patient uptake. They attribute this shift to the documentary and the advocacy that was built around it. More people with debilitating chronic pain were finding the best available help.
** 2023 Update:
Three years after the film was released, after countless mobilizations and relentless activism, Belgium’s federal parliament has unanimously agreed on federally mandated education, training for medical professionals, improved screening, treatment and follow-up for patients and more resources for research. A historic resolution for Endo patients and partners in this country. Tangible proof that film translates to real impact.
Ellen and Thomas didn’t do this alone. This was a mammoth undertaking of patients, partners, creatives, media, medical professionals, and now also policy makers.
For more information about the film visit: www.myendo.eu
For more information about endomtriosis in Belgium visit: www.behindendo.be
CREDITS
Director – Producer – Animator
Ellen Andries
DP – Editor
Thomas Maddens
Special thanks to
Professor Meuleman en het voltallige endometrioseteam
UZ Leuven Gasthuisberg
Ruben De Gheselle
Thanks to our partners
De Spelers van de Nationale Loterij
Lago Gent Rozebroeken
Redhead TV
Additional camera
Jef Mattheeuws
Renate Raman
Charles Pacqué
Animation Mentor
Carl Van Isacker
Assistant Painter
Evert Van Houcke
Assistant Graphics
Lucas Dewulf
Story by
Anouk Van Hoofstadt
Anneleen Ophoff
OST Composer
Ruben De Gheselle
Recording, Mix and Mastering
Klaas Tomme
Musicians
Mirek Coutigny
Jolien Deley
Poster Photo Retouching
Bart Vertriest