Fire in the Blood, a new documentary by Dylan Mohan Gray will have its NYC release on September 6th at the IFC Center in lower Manhattan. I strongly urge anyone in public health and medicine to see this film. It tells the story of the struggle to gain access to treatment for people living with AIDS in the developing world. The focus is on how western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low cost medicine that could have saved millions of lives in the 90’s and early 2000’s. It is at times a harrowing tale.
The film explains how companies hid behind patent laws that prohibited many developing countries from making the generic versions of AIDS drugs –the only affordable option for most people living with the virus. I learned how a group of dedicated activists from around the world found ways to change this, applying constant, public pressure and finding loopholes in international law until lives could be saved.
Fire in the Blood is full of fascinating characters – Zackie Achmat, the founder of Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa and Indian scientist Yusuf Hamied, a socially-conscious generic drugmaker who turned India into the “pharmacy of the developing world.” The film also features Desmond Tutu, Bill Clinton, Joseph Stiglitz and other key players in the access to generic drug fight.
We still have a long way to go to insure affordable treatment for a variety of deadly diseases. This film provides necessary background information and insight into this ongoing struggle.
NYC screening information for THIS WEEKEND:
FIRE IN THE BLOOD
September 6th – 12th at the IFC Center
Directed by Dylan Mohan Gray
323 6th Ave at 3rd St
>> Tickets on Sale Now! <<
Friday, September 6th at 7:50
Q&A with Filmmaker Dylan Mohan Gray and generic drug advocate Jamie Love, moderated by Judit Rius, US Manager, Access Campaign from Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Saturday, September 7th at 7:50
Q&A with Filmmaker Dylan Mohan Gray and generic drug advocate Jamie Love moderated by Earle Sebastian, Creative Director and Tayla Colton, Sr Director of Programs at Keep a Child Alive.
Sunday, September 8th at 7:50
Q&A with Filmmaker Dylan Mohan Gray moderated by Els Torreele, Director Access to Medicines Initiative at Open Society Foundations.
Additional Screening Uptown at IMAGENATION
Friday, September 6th at 7:30:
2031 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., Jr. (Bet. 121st & 122nd Sts)
Presented by African Services Committee & Health GAP with special introduction by Filmmaker Dylan Mohan Gray & generic drug advocate Jamie Love.
“Fiercely committed. An imperative exposé.”
– Andrew Schenker, TIME OUT, NY
“Gray’s images are exquisite and unsparing.
Artful in nearly every frame.”
– Daphne Howland, VILLAGE VOICE
