Watch How to Survive a Plague

How to Survive a Plague is a documentary chronicling the rise of AIDS activism in the United States during the height of the epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s. The film covers the work of organizations like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and TAG (Treatment Action Group), and provides an intimate look at the lives of those affected by the virus.

The film features interviews with key figures in the AIDS movement, including Peter Staley, a former bond trader who became a prominent AIDS activist and member of ACT UP; Larry Kramer, the author and playwright who founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis and later co-founded ACT UP; and Iris Long, a nurse who was diagnosed with HIV in 1987 and became an advocate for HIV-positive women.

The documentary covers a wide range of topics related to the AIDS epidemic, including the initial outbreak of the disease, the government's slow response to the crisis, and the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with HIV/AIDS. The film captures the anger and frustration of activists who felt that their government was not taking the epidemic seriously, and who took to the streets in protest to demand action.

One of the most powerful aspects of How to Survive a Plague is its portrayal of the groundbreaking work of ACT UP and TAG, who were instrumental in pressuring the government to speed up the approval process for new AIDS medications. The film shows how activists used tactics like direct action, civil disobedience, and media campaigns to raise awareness about the epidemic and force government officials to take action. By the mid-1990s, their efforts had helped to bring about a sea change in the way that AIDS was treated, with new medications improving the lives of those living with the virus.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are introduced to a diverse range of people who were affected by the epidemic, from doctors and scientists working to understand the virus, to patients living with the disease and their families and friends. One particularly poignant subplot involves the story of Bob Rafsky, a former Navy medic and gay rights activist who died of AIDS in 1989. Through home video footage and interviews with Rafsky's loved ones, we see how the disease affected him and those close to him.

Overall, How to Survive a Plague is a moving and powerful testament to the bravery and resilience of those who fought tirelessly to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic and demand action from the government. While the film does not shy away from the devastation wrought by the disease, it also highlights the ways in which the HIV/AIDS community came together to fight back against stigma and discrimination and advocate for treatment and care. For anyone interested in the history of AIDS activism, this documentary is an essential viewing experience.

How to Survive a Plague is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 86.