December 1 is World AIDS Day, established by the World Health Organization in 1988 to raise awareness and attention about the global AIDS epidemic. In honor of the day, we offer up these five documentaries, courtesy of SnagFilms, which serve to put a human face on this international crisis.
'We Will Not Die Like Dogs' (2008)
The brainchild of two African medical students at Yale determined to show that not everyone from their continent is a victim, 'We Will Not Die Like Dogs' takes a look at AIDS activists from Nigeria, Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Zambia as they struggle with stigmas and discrimination from their own country members in an attempt to bring HIV/AIDS awareness to various communities.
'Out of Control: The AIDS Epidemic in Black America' (2006)
A comprehensive, unflinching report about how the AIDS crisis has reached epidemic proportions right here in the U.S. within the Black community. When the documentary was made in 2006, Blacks made up 13 percent of the population, but 50 percent of all new HIV infections, and AIDS was the leading cause of death for a black woman ages 25-49. Narrated by Peter Jennings, in one of his last original reports, this documentary suggests not only to a lack of Presidential administrations' part to effectively address this preventable disease, but also a failure to mobilize from the black community itself.
'Alicia in Africa: Journey to the Motherland' (2008)
Singer and songwriter Alicia Keys takes a month-long pilgrimage to administer care and support to some of the continent's highly-infected areas. A heartbreaking and yet inspiring look at those infected, who, faced with unbelievable suffering, choose to counter it with amazing feats of bravery and resilience.
'India's Hidden Plague' (2007)
Actress Ashley Judd also uses her celebrity to shed light on the disease in India, as she travels to the streets of Mumbai as part of her role as Global Ambassador for Youth AIDS. The film spotlights the precariousness of lives ravaged by disease as they struggle to carry on in a society that has largely forgotten them.
'Ashray' (2006)
A short, touching 6-minute film about Mumbai's first home for children affected by HIV. The kids who reside at Ashray are either infected by the virus, or were sent there by parents who were and couldn't take care of them. In addition to their regular education, the kids also get the chance to learn Bollywood dance, English, and art, and become part of a larger family in the process.
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