How to Survive a Plague Movie Review

Director: David France

UK Release Date: 8th November 2013

Running Time: 110 minutes 

Starring: Peter Staley, Larry Kramer, Iris Long, Mark Harrington, Jim Eigo

"How to Survive a Plague" is not initially what you expect from the title but as this documentary by David France advances you soon see why the chosen title is appropriate.  Prior to watching you could easily expect an apocalyptic film filled with zombies or something similar, however, what you find is the real life battle two AIDS activists groups faced from the onset of the disease and go on to challenge the FDA to get other AIDS drugs approved for use - AIDS is the plague. 

The documentary uses a collaboration of archival footage that has not yet been seen before to show the actions taken by Act Up and TAG (Treatment Action Group).  "How to Survive a Plague" gives the audience unparallelled access to heated meetings, actions, failures, mistakes and not forgetting the fundamental breakthroughs these two activist groups made during the 1980's and 1990's.

"How to Survive a Plague" is an excellent example of documentary making at its finest.  It is interesting and uses real archival footage, some of which has been captured by the activists themselves, and puts it together in an manner that explains, informs and impassions the audience. Emotional clips are authentic and offer the opportunity for the audience to connect to the story and documentary on another level. 

Other aspects away from the actual story of "How to Survive a Plague" also make it an enjoyable experience while watching.  It feels simple.  It has not been over complicated in anyway.  The accompanying soundtrack is perfect - it fits in and does not feel obtrusive to the story being told and is a great match, helping to shape the feel of the documentary.  Praise has to go to director, David France, for being able to bring together each detail which each have their own specific asset of being included in the film. 

This documentary is an excellent watch. It can be likened to "Fire in the Blood" (2013) a documentary also on the AIDS virus.  "How to Survive a Plague" is a powerful documentary that is good to watch.  The inspiring story is not let down at all from the way it is portrayed and all involved should be credited and praised for their efforts in getting this story onto the big screen.  

M+F Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by M+F Reviews.

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.

12 Years a Slave Review: Brutally Honest

Director: Steve McQueen

UK Release Date: 10th January 2014

Running Time: 134 minutes

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano

What is there to say about 12 Years a Slave? The quick answer is - a lot.  I have not seen a film quite like it.  Okay, so it has been compared recently to "Django Unchained" (2012) but for me there is no comparison.  The two are totally different; "12 Years a Slave" depicts slavery for what it was; brutality, pain, death and wrongfulness. On the other hand, Django uses slavery as a vessel to tell a different story which yes, includes slaves but it is not a 'real' representation of slavery.  Having only watched the film the night before writing this review all I can think about is the movie.  But I ask myself, can I call it a movie?  It did not feel like I was watching a movie. It was a window into our dreadful past as human beings.  A representation that at times was difficult to watch and apprehend. It almost felt like a documentary rather than a movie and I think everyone should sit down and watch this film.

"I don't want to survive. I want to live." - Solomon Northup

We all know, or should do, the story of slavery in America.  We have been taught it in school, college and university but nothing will prepare you for  what"12 Years a Slave" brings to the big screen.  A powerful film fuelled by magnificent performances and quite majestic directing. 

Steve McQueen - Director

English director Steve McQueen who has a vast history with short films is responsible for the masterpiece that is "12 Years a Slave". One thing that stood out for myself was how the film was presented.  For a moment, lets ignore the actors and even storyline and look at the film itself.  The images, clips and timings were all perfect.  You could feel the change in atmosphere throughout the cinema and that happened on scenes where there was no actors, dialect or even sounds.  One shot stood out in particular - a caterpillar eating at the cotton plants in the dry hot fields.  The camera must have stayed on this shot for 30 seconds but it told so much.  It should not have made sense but in the context it did.  It portrayed the pain and suffering in an alternative way compared to a the physical violence that is so prominent in the rest of the film.

The directing in this film made it stand out because it is brave and bold.  It is different. It does what other films have been afraid to do.  A 3 minute clip of Solomon Northup, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, hanging, only surviving by balancing on the tip of his toes brings the intensity to another level.  There were other clips as well that make you, as part of the audience feel uncomfortable and disgusted, but so they should.  We should not look away.  This happened, it was real.  It was wrong but it is also part of our history and something we should embrace and accept as being part of us so we can make sure we never allow something similar or the same to happen again.  McQueen portrays the true story of Northup magnificently, it feels honest and real. McQueen's vision for the film is so basic, he wants the audience to hold on to a thought about the film for longer than 5 minutes. Something that he surely achieves.

Actors/Characters

As mentioned, Ejiofor plays Solomon Northup the free man who gets captured and sold into slavery for 12 years.  An incredible performance for the actor and certainly his best to date.  He portrays Northup's innocence perfectly, displaying his despair and desperation throughout the entire film.  A truly outstanding performance, one that was perfect for the film and the story.

Michael Fassbender plays Edwin Epps the disgusting and haunting slave master.  Fassbender provides an immense performance that is so believable it is unrivaled in this film.  You can be mistaken for hating the actor himself by the end of the film he is that good. A honestly powerful performance. 

Benedict Cumberbatch's character, Master Ford, is one we can sympathize with.  Yes he is a slave owner but he respects them, he is a nice character and does his best to protect Northup.  That being said in the grand scheme of things he still was a slave owner.  Cumberbatch's own depiction of Ford is solid as is Brad Pitt's as Bass.  He turns out to be the savior in the end and Pitt does a good job in this role.

Paul Dano is Tibeats, who works for Master Ford.  He is not a nice character at all and is worse than Epps.  Dano's own portrayal of this is spot on.  A young influenced boy who only does what he does as it is all he has known growing up in the south.





"12 Years a Slave" is truly a hard hitting masterpiece that brings a past reality back to life.  This means that there are scenes that are distressful and difficult to watch (two people left and failed to return during my viewing of the film).  This is the story though and like the drug abuse portrayed in "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013) - it happened, it is real. By showing scenes that entice questions to be asked, films can tackle issues that are often left alone. One question that has been asked is 'Why now?' How come it has taken so long for a film of this sort to be made and be this brutally honest? I believe it is the right time now.  The context of the world is at a place where people feel they can watch it and accept it and this is a good thing.

"12 Years a Slave" is a film that you only need to see once but it will stay with you for a very long time.  I applaud McQueen and his team along with the actors involved for truly bringing this exceptional story to the masses.  It is a intricate film on all levels and I presume will end up coming away with some success at the Oscars. If you are still unsure as to whether you should watch this film then here are '12 Reasons to Watch Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave".'

M+F Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by M+F Reviews.