Gary Null’s Vaccine Nation shows a darker side of modern medicine.
By Nate Long
“If you could help someone, you would want to help someone.” These words seem to encapsulate much of what independent filmmaker and natural medicines guru Gary Null is all about: helping people become healthier and happier, through alternative, natural methods.
Null has written and directed over 20 films focusing on everything from natural medicine, vegetarian cookbooks and fitness programs to pet health and George W. Bush’s nuclear policy. Two of Null’s films have won Accolades for their notable contribution to the independent film canon: AIDS, Inc. (2007 Award of Excellence) and most recently, Vaccine Nation (2008 Award of Excellence and Award of Merit).
As with most of his films, the documentary Vaccine Nation seeks to dispel what Null believes to be myths surrounding mainstream healthcare practices; specifically, the administration of vaccines to infants. His assertion is that ultimately, vaccinations given to children at a young age can do more harm than good, due to the prevalence of mercury and other harmful chemicals in many common shots. Supported by medical professionals and statistical analysis, Null offers the theory that these chemicals can lead to autism, sudden infant death syndrome and other illnesses. Moreover, vaccines ultimately weaken a child’s immune system by preventing it from developing immunities to foreign bodies.
In addition to these claims, bold by any standard, Null goes on to explain that vaccination is practiced in a nonchalant, quotidian fashion that does not fit the severity of its potential risks. The numerous parents interviewed in the documentary were not aware of the potential for brain damage inherent in this common procedure, and as such felt betrayed by the doctors with whom they had entrusted their newborn’s life. In making Vaccine Nation, Null hoped to shed light upon what he felt was a thoughtless and unnecessary medical practice, by exposing documented cases of seriously damaging side effects.
Vaccine Nation is just one of twenty independent films Null has produced over the years, all of which deal with similar, anti-establishment topics regarding natural approaches to health and happiness. Needless to say, he is a busy man. The average day for Gary Null is noticeably atypical for an independent filmmaker, beginning at 4:00 am with an outdoor workout, a 6-10 mile run and an indoor workout. Following his rigorous fitness regiment is a two-hour block of time devoted to writing (he has published over 70 books on health and nutrition) and 10 appointments with patients who come to him seeking better health through natural means. He also hosts two hour-long radio shows at noon and 3:00pm (“Natural Living with Gary Null”) and uses the rest of the day to work on editing footage in one of his four editing suites. He is currently working on completing 21 films. In his spare time, Null also trains marathon runners.
With such a unique lifestyle, it is hardly surprising that Null has no time to deal with the compromises that one must make in order to work as a filmmaker on the commercial level. All of his films are produced and distributed by Null himself, through his company, Gary Null & Associates, Inc. In addition to allowing Gary the freedom to work on his films within his individual time frame, the in-house production structure allows him to retain his artistic integrity. “I only do controversial films,” he proudly declares.
I spoke to Null at his Anti-Aging Center, a lecture space in Manhattan. He was working on a film that focuses on slowing and reversing the effects of menopause. The film features recorded lectures from 12 speakers, all experts in the fields of mental and physical wellness. Through his website (www.garynull.com) the lectures were being streamed live into 140 countries. The emphasis seemed to be more on preventative measures than reactionary medicine: “Many of the things we think of as inevitable [results of aging], are actually the result of choices we made earlier.”
Watching Gary on set, one sees a man who is deeply committed to spreading his gospel. The set was intimate and quaint, with a studio audience of about 30 people. In between lectures, it became obvious that Gary has a devout audience with whom he has a cheery repartee. Jokes and laughter emanated from the candid banter between the man and his fans. During the lectures, and during our conversations, Null’s presence was both commanding and lulling. He had a deliberate but soft voice, and carried himself like a born performer.
Null has been a controversial figure in the medical community for many years, as he firmly believes that much of what is accepted as indubitable medical knowledge is actually a complex mythology propagated by an overzealous, greedy pharmaceutical industry and a government that puts its own convenience ahead of the health of its citizens. Topically, he has taken on such imposing medical behemoths as cancer and AIDS, believing there to be much left unsaid in the mainstream discourse regarding both modern epidemics. “Controversy comes from challenging orthodox thought… [It] allows truth to speak to power,” says Null, celebrating his status as a controversial figure.
“Americans are not lazy, stupid and indifferent, we just act that way,” he lectures while filming his current project. Null is convinced that Americans are not becoming less healthy because of some kind of biological inevitability, but merely because we do not have the necessary information to improve our minds and bodies. We are tossed bottles of pills and chemicals from an uncaring system, and this results in instant gratification and the long-term degeneration of physical and mental constitution. In a way, Null fancies himself as a pioneer of sorts, paving a unique road in a jungle of mechanical medicine. “The founding fathers were involved in controversy… democracy is founded on controversy.” Needless to say, he takes his position as a champion of natural living seriously.
Independent cinema is invaluable in helping Null spread his maverick message of wholesome vigor. He explains that despite offers from large companies, he has not “sold [his] films into the system.” His reasoning is frank and rational: “I don’t have to make any compromises.” The revenue from his natural-medicine empire (including two vitamin stores and a whole-foods market in New York) allows him to produce and distribute his films without commercial support. As much as he feels that established medical practices sacrifice quality for profit, Null feels that commercial cinema is not a pure art form. “Everything about commercial films is about the commercial aspect.” If controversy stems from truth speaking to power, he reasons, than it is impossible to be totally truthful in a commercial environment, where profit often takes precedence over conveying a message.
Thus, it comes as little shock that Null’s foremost advice to upstart independent filmmakers is to stay independent. “We should look for what is remarkable, inspiring, and insightful in our work.” He encourages people to make films that break new ground and provide the audience with “the ooh, ah factor.” Null feels that many artists today are focused more on building themselves up as personalities then honing their craft, and he reminds us, “real artists never focus upon themselves.” Rather than making “vanity films,” he feels that a film should be an original contribution to social discourse. He sees this depth as an admirable goal and certainly one more difficult to achieve with commercial interests subordinating artistic vision. He adds that to make a truly groundbreaking film there are three key ingredients: “patience, time and focus.”
Moreover, Null feels that independent filmmakers should shun distribution deals altogether. Instead, he encourages the utilization of online resources like Google Video, YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and blogging sites to get films the exposure they need to be seen by a large audience, and advises filmmakers to distribute the films themselves. He also recognizes the value of submitting one’s film to competitions like the Accolade, which he lauds for “providing a forum for unconventional ideas.”
So what’s next for Gary Null? Several films are currently in the works: Autism: Made in the USA, which examines the role of mercury-containing medicine in causing autism; Wolves of Wall Street, which will explain 32 different causes of the economic recession; Return to the Snake Pits, an expose on abuses in the mental health industry, and a film entitled Death by Medicine. In other words, there are no signs of this dissenting authority of natural living slowing down any time soon.
Contact: Jennifer Shagawat, jennifer@garynull.com
