In the documentary, "It's My Life," Zackie Achmat is working towards getting medication available in hospitals for people suffering from HIV or AIDS. I really do admire Achmat for refusing treatment until it is available for everyone. Taking an issue like this into your own hands is very brave. Even when his doctor strongly suggests him to take medication, he refuses. You can see his illness is getting worse and worse but he fights through it to send a message. The people around him, who care about him, also want him to receive treatment but his will is too strong. Why should millions suffer just because of their social class? Why should one person be able to have great health just because they are wealthy? Achmat got a lot of media attention, so the issues were presented to a large audience. The drug companies focused much more on profit, rather than saving lives.
Although this topic, HIV/AIDS in Africa, has always kept me interested,
this film did not. I think Achmat and Brian Tilley could have portrayed
this topic in a different way. This may be my American-film mind used to
tragedy and shocking images, but I thought the film was a little
boring. If they involved more people infected with the disease in the
film, it may have captured more of my attention. Millions of South
Africans are affected with this disease, but it was difficult to see
that in the documentary. Only one man's portrayal of the disease is
shown, which did not have a huge affect on me.
In the book, Welcome to Our Hillbrow, there was drama and shock throughout the entire story. The main character, Refentse, kills himself because he finds his love and his best friend having sex. His love, Lerato, also kills herself after Refentse's death. Sammy, Refentse's best friend is driven mad due to the guilt he feels for "causing" Refentse's death. Refilwe is a former lover of Refentse, who later discovers she has AIDS. She returns home to die, but is only ridiculed and judged for contracting the disease. There is tragedy and scandal throughout the whole book, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
I agree that most American films use the shock of seeing the disease as a way to hold our attention to the serious matter at hand. If there aren't people wasting away in hospital beds covered in legions, the general public just doesn't care enough to take action. I believe it is different for the educated such as ourselves, but as you said, we still hunger for that extra drama.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your finding the book engrossing and keeping you on the edge of your seat. While I was reading all I wanted to do was get off of my seat. I became sick of reading about disease, poverty, drugs, prostitution, crime, and soccer (???) by the fifth page in. I've just had enough, positive change can only arise from positive thoughts, so this was not in the least effective.