The documentary “It’s My Life” brought many things to my
attention, including Zackie’s willingness to risk his life to help others and
how unhelpful the South African government is. Overall the documentary was not
very thrilling because our class is now used to very eye opening films. This
film was about something everyone knows about, AIDS, and the controversy the
illness causes. I really would have liked the focus of the documentary to be on
the people affected by AIDS in South Africa along side of Zackie’s activism. We
learn that Zackie is a very selfless man, risking his health and life in order
to help the citizens affected by AIDS in South Africa. I am not an expert in
court cases and things of that nature, so a lot of parts of the documentary we
a little confusing because they went through things without thoroughly
explaining them. “Welcome to Our Hilbrow”, on the other hand, was a lot more
interesting because the reader knows first hand the relationship the characters
have with AIDS. It was just more
captivating than the documentary. It just annoys me how selfish and unethical
these companies and governments are because many lives could be spared and
there would be less people affected by AIDS if the medicine was more affordable
and accessible.
Heather, I also think the documentary could have benefited from using footage of individuals affected with AIDS who could not afford the medicine. The film was basically about how people in South Africa could not afford the medication and the only person who spoke at length about AIDS was Zackie, who could afford the medication. It would have been interesting to hear what they had to say on the topic of medication and their outlook on life since they did not have access to the medicine. It might have evoked more emotions by listening to the stories of those who have suffered.
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