Fire in the Blood Movie Review

 
Director: Dylan Mohan Gray

UK Release Date: 22nd February 2013

Running Time: 87 minutes

Starring: William Hurt, Bill Clinton, Desmond Tutu, James Love, Peter Mugyenyi, Yusuf Hamied

We recently posted a preview of "Fire in the Blood" and now we have had the honour of watching the documentary ourselves. The documentary is directed by Dylan Mohan Gray and is powerful, emotional and honest.  These three aspects of the documentary make it an excellent film and is perfect in telling the true yet disgustingly unbelievable true story.

"Fire in the Blood" details how Western Governments and large pharmaceutical companies have used patents to over price poorer countries and people out of purchasing life saving AIDS medicines calls ARVs. They have also blocked the production of generic drugs (drugs that are very similar but are much cheaper) which is literally causing the deaths of millions of people in third world countries.  The documentary features interviews with Bill Clinton and Desmond Tutu while more importantly giving the chance for the activists fighting for cheaper drugs to speak.

Throughout the film the common feeling is of disbelief.  The audience is is disbelief that companies would force people to die rather than reduce the costs of drugs - essentially putting money and profits over the value of someone's life.  The good thing about the way the documentary is filmed is that it does not play on the emotion of the audience, the topic and story is powerful enough that no gimmicks are needed or used.  This really gives "Fire in the Blood" the authenticity it needs to give this story the stage it needs to gain more support.

It features individual stories of those fighting against the pharmaceutical companies as well as stories of those who have been affected directly.  Some have AIDS themselves and have access to the drug now, but may not be able to in the future due to new laws being imposed that pharmaceutical companies have forced into play.  These true stories fit side by side with those explaining the story of what is happening in a way that the audience can understand and relate to. This is fundamentally important in portraying the message that is conveyed throughout the documentary as with the involvement of many different countries, people and world-wide organisations it could have got very confusing.  Credit has to go to Gray who arranges the documentary into an interesting and inspiring story that also has a message of caution flowing throughout. 

"Fire in the Blood" is a documentary that will change your mind set.  These films are difficult to come by often and sometimes can go unnoticed. They do not receive the attention the documentary or the story it is telling deserves.  The documentary ends with one sentence appearing on screen that is as powerful if not more than the whole film, which is another testament to Gray's directing.  The sentence reads, 'Help prevent a sequel'. This sums up the film, the story and the motives behind making the documentary. It is not for monetary or profiting reasons, but instead to spread the message and to gather support to fight against terrible actions that are being committed by those who already have everything and want more in spite of the costs it is causing to less fortunate people.  "Fire in the Blood" is a must watch documentary that is cleverly and respectfully crafted that provides an emotional and authentic outcome. 

M+F Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by M+F Reviews.