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Fire in the Blood – review Fire in the Blood – review
(35 minutes later)
This dark, enlightening documentary puts the "crime of the century" on trial. Fire in the Blood is the urgent effort of director Dylan Gray to record the story of how western drugs companies blocked access to low-cost HIV/Aids treatment for the world's poorest, condemning millions to agonising, unnecessary deaths.This dark, enlightening documentary puts the "crime of the century" on trial. Fire in the Blood is the urgent effort of director Dylan Gray to record the story of how western drugs companies blocked access to low-cost HIV/Aids treatment for the world's poorest, condemning millions to agonising, unnecessary deaths.
In the early 2000s, faced with queues of people destined to die of a treatable disease, doctors in sub-Saharan Africa were forced to play God; deciding who would be granted life saving drugs from limited stocks. The central tragedy of the film is that its abhorrent content was completely avoidable. The choice of the US government, under the duress of 'big pharma', to stubbornly defend patents on antiretroviral drugs, indirectly lead to the deaths of some 10 million people. Fire in the Blood powerfully conveys the sense of impotence and frustration that must have been felt by all those working to combat HIV/Aids at the time.In the early 2000s, faced with queues of people destined to die of a treatable disease, doctors in sub-Saharan Africa were forced to play God; deciding who would be granted life saving drugs from limited stocks. The central tragedy of the film is that its abhorrent content was completely avoidable. The choice of the US government, under the duress of 'big pharma', to stubbornly defend patents on antiretroviral drugs, indirectly lead to the deaths of some 10 million people. Fire in the Blood powerfully conveys the sense of impotence and frustration that must have been felt by all those working to combat HIV/Aids at the time.
The battle that eventually ended this lethal blockade is narrated through the personal testimony of some of its key protagonists – from Bill Clinton, to an HIV-positive bodybuilder.The battle that eventually ended this lethal blockade is narrated through the personal testimony of some of its key protagonists – from Bill Clinton, to an HIV-positive bodybuilder.
James Love, working alone for a small charity, spent years asking the same question: "How much does it actually cost to produce an HIV/AIDs treatment?" Incredibly, nobody seemed to know. If Americans knew an antiretroviral could be produced for under a dollar a day, they might start to question not only why we were denying treatment to those in low-income countries, but also why they were paying so much themselves. James' question is one we should now be asking of every new drug that enters the marketplace – at what cost? His tireless efforts convey the central message of the film: if you see something you don't like, you can change the world. James Love, a lawyer interviewed in the documentary, spent years asking the same question: "How much does it actually cost to produce an HIV/AIDs treatment?" Incredibly, nobody seemed to know. If Americans knew an antiretroviral could be produced for under a dollar a day, they might start to question not only why we were denying treatment to those in low-income countries, but also why they were paying so much themselves. James' question is one we should now be asking of every new drug that enters the marketplace – at what cost? His tireless efforts convey the central message of the film: if you see something you don't like, you can change the world.
Fire in the Blood is essential viewing for the healthcare profession, but it should also be seen by everyone working in global development; the muted value placed on life and humanity in the global marketplace is sadly familiar to us all.Fire in the Blood is essential viewing for the healthcare profession, but it should also be seen by everyone working in global development; the muted value placed on life and humanity in the global marketplace is sadly familiar to us all.
The documentary clearly carries a narrative of tragedy, determination, and eventually victory, without shying away from the institutional racism and political failings involved. After 10 test screenings, the footage had been cut down to a size that, while preserving the necessary complexity, still leaves you with some energy at the end – and hopefully a little fire.The documentary clearly carries a narrative of tragedy, determination, and eventually victory, without shying away from the institutional racism and political failings involved. After 10 test screenings, the footage had been cut down to a size that, while preserving the necessary complexity, still leaves you with some energy at the end – and hopefully a little fire.
Rosalie Tostevin is Himalayas programme officer, Geology for Global Development, @RosalietostevinRosalie Tostevin is Himalayas programme officer, Geology for Global Development, @Rosalietostevin
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