AIDS: The Woman’s Story. A Personal and Political Fight 2004
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Produced by Ireen van Ditshuyzen for IdtV-DITS
Directed by Walther Grotenhuis
VHS, color, 65 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Women's Studies, Death and Dying, African Studies, Asian Studies, Human Rights, Health Sciences, Multicultural Studies, South American Studies
Date Entered: 03/16/2006
Reviewed by Nicole Cooke, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJAIDS: The Woman’s Story, A Personal and Political Fight is a powerful and important documentary that addresses the ongoing international AIDS epidemic. Focusing specifically on Kenya, Brazil and Thailand, AIDS chronicles the lives of women, who are particularly affected by this disease and its consequences. The documentary deals with much more than just the health and physical aspects of AIDS, but addresses the illness as a multifaceted political, financial, cultural, religious and gender issue.
AIDS, which was first documented in Brazil in 1980, affects and destroys entire families and regions, and is a direct result of cultures of prostitution, poverty, poor health care and machismo. AIDS provides a fascinating analysis of these cultures where men “purchase” their wives with dowries, treat them like property and subject them to all manners of disease and abuse as they pursue their right to indulge in drugs, alcohol and unprotected extramarital sex. Combined with this behavior are the mixed messages being distributed by the church and organized religion; “sex is a sin” and cannot be discussed. Sex is a taboo subject and use of contraception and condoms are forbidden.
The testimonies from the featured women are both heartbreaking and inspiring; yet, however much they accomplish, a solution for the AIDS epidemic is still light years away. As the documentary stresses, AIDS must become a political and financial priority with national leadership before significant progress will be made.
The technical components of this documentary are above average, matching the quality of the content; the film’s audio and visual editing are also of good quality. This documentary is enlightening and can be utilized within a wide variety of different subject areas, including health education, social studies and religion. AIDS: The Woman’s Story, A Personal and Political Fight is highly recommended, and is best suited for school libraries and media centers and academic libraries.