Directed by David France, How to Survive a Plague is a stirring documentary that captures the battle against AIDS.
Told in the words of a fierce and determined band of activists, the documentary acts as an emotional we-were-there video, detailing the struggles of a staunch few who took on legislators and law makers to take on the resilient, notorious virus.
The film has been praised as “compelling,” ”moving” and “meticulous”; “an epic celebration of heroism and tenacity”. The documentary was officially selected for a number of high profile and prestigious festivals, such as Sundance, Silverdocs and True/False.
Synopsis
Faced with their own mortality an improbable group of young people, many of them HIV-positive young men, broke the mold as radical warriors taking on Washington and the medical establishment.
HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE is the story of two coalitions—ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group)—whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition.
Despite having no scientific training, these self-made activists infiltrated the pharmaceutical industry and helped identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time.
With unfettered access to a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage from the 1980s and ’90s, filmmaker David France puts the viewer smack in the middle of the controversial actions, the heated meetings, the heartbreaking failures, and the exultant breakthroughs of heroes in the making.
Watch the trailer for the documentary below, and find out more about the film and its activists at surviveaplague.com.
Trailer
