PILLS PROFITS PROTEST: CHRONICLE OF THE GLOBAL AIDS MOVEMENT is an up-to-the minute documentary about AIDS treatment activism. It examines the national and international grass roots response to an epidemic that has already overshadowed the Black Death in terms of human lives lost. The demand for access to affordable treatment for 40 million people living with HIV, most of whom live in poor countries, represents one of the most successful political movements of contemporary history. This documentary examines critical junctures in the battle for access to HIV treatment as the poorest and most marginalized individuals confront larger powers, including governments, corporate bodies and a multinational drug industry that is motivated by profit. The fight for AIDS drugs is taking place in tandem with a growing anti-globalization movement; the latter provides a backdrop for examining AIDS through a lens of poverty, socioeconomic injustice and human rights. At the heart of this documentary is a thorny question: Can the world afford universal HIV treatment? At what cost? What will be the global cost if we fail to treat and save 40 million people now? Pills, Profits and Protest are the three thematic touchstones of our film, each reflecting an important aspect of the current battle. Behind this movement are people, personalities and lives. Our film weaves their personal stories with a larger chronicle of history-in-the-making. Please note that if ordering for an organization you must order directly from Outcast Films—leftwingbooks.net and kersplebedeb are only able to fulfill orders to individuals, bookstores and infoshops. Visit Outcast Films at http://www.outcast-films.com/index.html or call 1-800-343-5540 or email orders@outcast-films.com
What People Are Saying
From slums in India and Brazil to the halls of power at the United Nations, PILLS, PROFITS, PROTEST offers a window into the passionate and courageous actions of committed AIDS treatment activists around the world. It is also a powerful teaching tool that I use in my classes—both to illustrate what has been accomplished, and to help my students visualize the faces and work of those on the front lines of this important struggle. Patricia Siplon, Associate Professor, SAINT MICHAEL'S COLLEGE The world's largest drug manufacturers and the world's most powerful governments have conspired for decades to deploy a pharmaceutical embargo that halts delivery of life saving medicines to people living with AIDS. HIV positive activists and their international allies have mounted a courageous and strategic counter-attack at the local, national, and international level forcing concessions from companies, governments, and international institutions. Championing the human right to essential medicines, PILLS, PROFITS, PROTEST chronicles this global activist campaign that has partially dismantled international intellectual property rules that prioritize profits over lives—it is an inspirational account of solidarity and resistance. Brook K. Baker, Professor, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW PILLS, PROFITS, PROTEST is one of the best films about AIDS I've ever seen. It's a moving portrait of the global struggle to expand treatment access for millions of poor people with HIV/AIDS, and underscores the critical role that grassroots activists are playing in forcing "Big Pharma" and other powerful interests to adopt responsible AIDS policies. Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director, GLOBAL AIDS ALLIANCE PILLS, PROFITS, PROTEST has become a critical tool in our advocacy trainings at African Services. Not only does it clearly and comprehensively explain the issues and challenges of the global AIDS movement, but the creators' fine filmmaking leaves you charged, energized, ready, and willing to join the fight! Amanda Lugg, AFRICAN SERVICES COMMITTEE. A film by Anne-christine d'Adesky, Shanti Avirgan and Ann T. Rossetti<\strong> Subtitled Languages: English, French, Portugese, Spanish