How to Survive a Plague (2012)
David France’s 2012 documentary HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE follows AIDS activists in the 1980s/90s.
Today’s post was written by author/critic Gary Kramer (@garyemkramer on Instagram) - Be sure to follow his Instagram account for fantastic reviews, as well as information on new queer film releases!
HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE
2012. USA.
Director: David France
Writers: David France, Todd Woody Richman & Tyler H. Walk
Featuring: Bill Bahlman, David Barr, Gregg Bordowitz, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Spencer Cox, Jim Eigo, Susan Ellenberg, Anthony Fauci, Mark Harrington, Jesse Helms, Garance Franke-Ruta, Larry Kramer, Mathilde Krim, Ed Koch, Iris Long, Ray Navarro, Ann Northrop, Bob Rafsky & Peter Staley
An inspiring, admiring portrait of AIDS activist heroism, HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE takes viewers into the meetings and onto the streets with ACT-UP members and their allies. The impressive footage—of people demonstrating and being arrested—is as compelling as the various talking heads’ emotionally rousing testimonies about the need for AIDS research and treatment. The indomitable spirit of these people with AIDS who became clinicians, researchers, lobbyists and drug smugglers fighting for health care rights and rapid approval of drugs, comes through in the incredible archival clips and interviews. And some viewers will watch the very moving PLAGUE through their tears. This not-to-be-missed film crystallizes the importance and efficacy of community advocacy and civil disobedience. It provides a lucid history of the strides these sometimes dying men and women made—and setbacks they faced—as they risked everything demanding help they deserved.
You can find HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE streaming on Hoopla (Canada), AMC+ (Canada/USA), Kanopy & Mubi (USA), for rent/purchase through Amazon & AppleTV, and also available on DVD/Blu-ray.
