Rome International Film Festival 2008

Since silicone implants first became available in 1964, over two million women have chosen to surgically reconstruct or augment their breasts. In 2005 alone, over 200,000 women underwent surgical breast enhancement or reconstruction, more than triple the number who did ten years earlier. At its heart, ABSOLUTELY SAFE is driven by the experience of the filmmaker's own mother. Diagnosed with breast tumors, Audrey Ciancutti underwent a double mastectomy with silicone-implant reconstruction surgery. A year later, her implants ruptured, and soon after, her health steadily declined. Like thousands of other women, Audrey believes her debilitating illnessesjoint pain, chronic fatigue, scleroderma-- are linked to her breast implants; however, most doctors and researchers deny this link. Among the debate by plastic surgeons, toxicologists, attorneys, implant manufacturers, whistle blowers, government officials and activists, ABSOLUTELY SAFE introduces more everyday women like Audrey who make choices about their breasts in our appearance driven culture.Even though the FDA recently lifted its restrictions on silicone implants and approved them for wide-scale use, many serious questions remain regarding breast implant safety. However, ABSOLUTELY SAFE reveals that the conversation on implant safety is far more complex than simple pros and cons. Rather, the real conversation, the most important conversationwith the most difficult and challenging questionsrests with viewers themselves, as all individuals in our culture ultimately face this confusing intersection of choice, risk, money, beauty, and health. ABSOLUTELY SAFE sparks this long overdue cultural conversation.