Analysis of And the Band Played On Film - Movie Review Example

And the Band Played On And the Band Played On refers to a 1993 U.S. television film docudrama, which was directed by Roger Spottiswoode. The screenplay by Arnold Schulman is founded on the best-selling non-fiction novel by the same name by Randy Shilts (1987). The films strictly centers on the HIV/AIDS epidemic that hit the United States and now world over. In the opening set in 1976, U.S. epidemiologist, Francis Don, arrives in a township on the banks of the River Ebola in Congo Zaire and finds most of the residents, as well as the practitioner working with them, have passed away due to a strange illness later recognized as Ebola fever (Spottiswoode, 1993). It is his initial experience to such an outbreak, and the figures of the deceased he assists in cremating will haunt him when he later on becomes concerned with HIV/AIDS study at the Disease Control and Prevention Centers. Francis becomes, in 1981, conscious of a rising number of deaths from mysterious sources among homosexual men in New York City, Los Angeles as well as San Francisco, and is incited to start a thorough study of the likely causes (Spottiswoode, 1993). Working with no funds, restricted space, and outmoded tools, Francis starts to interacts with politicians, many affiliates of the health society (many of whom dislike his participation owing to their secret agendas), along with gay activists (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). Of the latter, others like Bill Kraus endorse him, while others express hatred at what they consider as unnecessary meddling in their lifestyles, particularly in his efforts to seal the local gay saunas (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). Whereas Francis pursues his hypothesis that AIDS is caused by a sexually passed on virus on the model of leukemia (feline), he finds his attempts are stonewalled by the Centers for Disease Control, which is unwilling to attest that the virus is passed on through blood, and opposing French and other American scientists such as Dr. Robert Gallo (Spottiswoode, 1993). These health researchers argue on who should get credit for unearthing the virus and in the meantime the death toll rises rapidly. With regards to this, this paper will discuss biological, psychological and social (including societal and political) factors, which contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the United States and specific instances in the movie that portrayed these biopsychosocial factors (Spottiswoode, 1993). The paper will also offer some interesting points of how the movie was inciting and educative. The factors liable for the fast spread of HIV/AIDS infection are multifaceted (Spottiswoode, 1993). These vary from political, social, biological, environmental and physical factors including simultaneous STDs, poverty and deprivation, socio-economic growth, low status of those affected in society, lack of apparent risk, high mobility of labor, unavailability of condoms or low condom use, peer norms, adults’ perception on sex and condoms, adolescent view on sexuality, gender power issues, poor economic empowerment and dignity before health (Spottiswoode, 1993). Part 1: Factors that Led to the Spread of HIV/AIDS Biological Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) obstruct the infection blockade of sexual organs through establishing lesions and rupturing the membranes; therefore, amplifying transmission of HIV from one person to another during sexual contact (Spottiswoode, 1993). Research findings proved that people living with sexually transmitted diseases have three to five folds enhances in danger of contracting HIV/AIDS than people who do not have sexually transmitted infections. This movie depicts that the treatment of sexually transmitted infections reduces the chances of HIV transmission by over 40 percents, particularly with the gay community (Spottiswoode, 1993). It is known that sexually transmitted infection prevalence is high in the gay community and is generally scantily diagnosed particularly in areas where amenities for diagnosing STDs are restricted or non-existent (Spottiswoode, 1993). Psychological The main biological, psychological factors that led to the spread of HIV/AIDS are discrimination and homophobia against the gay community (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). During this time, gay and bisexual men were living a society, which privileged heterosexuality whereas denigrating homosexual behaviors, relationships and identities (Spottiswoode, 1993). These structural states that assume the form of homophobia and discrimination are further complicate by economic disparities and racism for gay and bisexual men. For instance, in the film, we hear a doctor (Jaffey) informing his friend (Eddie) that their gay clients have been dying recently of an epidemic that they could not disclose because they had to maintain the confidentiality of their clients (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). The doctors knew that it was HIV/AIDS yet they did not want to disclose that information early enough (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). In addition, experiences with homophobia have been confirmed to hinder the ability of gay and bisexual men to create and uphold long-term same-sex relationships and also seek healthcare if diagnosed with the virus (Spottiswoode, 1993). The homophobia challenge exerts implications on sexual risk indirectly through exacerbating psychological health burden (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). Finally, unlike other marginalized groups such as immigrants who were raised with people similar to themselves and who got the support and assistance of their family members, gay or bisexual youth often had more complex and frequently abusive family dynamics (Spottiswoode, 1993). Social Some of the social factors that led to the spread of HIV/AIDS include overlap of organizations, quarrels among significant stakeholders, poor expertise and lack of funds money. Bodies such as the Congress, WHO, Food and Drug Administration, Red Cross and National Cancer Institute played significant roles when it came to the discovery of HIV/AIDS (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). However, it rapidly became clear that the conflict within these organizations affected themselves more than they benefited the society (Spottiswoode, 1993). Undoubtedly, the most significant organization was the CDC; ironically, and sadly, this was also the most unfunded and unbalanced organization of them all as depicted in this film. All through the film, we see friendships among the doctors on the HIV/AIDS workforce and their superiors, culminating in frequent confrontations and insults when there is no progress (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). The difficulty and intensity of the CDCs task lead to these explosions. Another factor that led to the spread of HIV/AIDS was the poor expertise among the involved personnel (Spottiswoode, 1993). Some of the experts involved were unaware of how to use the technology to intervene this epidemic, which led to its fast spreading. Some of the organizations and vital stakeholders concerned in the intervention of this illness were only into money, and that is why the research was not significant (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). To sum it up, those who were willing to carry out extensive research did not have adequate funds to tackle the research (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). Part 2: Important Aspects of the Movie Marginalized groups, meaning a socially excluded group of people, die as the world watches in spite of key players being capable of stopping the slaughter (Spottiswoode, 1993). Francis Don utters in the film that “…it will never occur again, to any individual, anywhere.” The phrase “never again” was also used following the holocaust in Europe (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). The HIV/AIDS epidemic is another holocaust by the protagonist of the film Francis Don. The overarching matters this film discloses are worldwide (Spottiswoode, 1993). It forces people to ponder: what would we do? What is the effect of our discrimination? How do we care for the “marginalized groups?” Whether they are Jews in the 30s, in Europe or the 80s American gay men or undocumented aliens of today? The extent of research of the film is astounding, covering the rising storm in the gay society; the scientists investigating a cause as competing for reputation; the politicians more concerned about fame than citizens dying, and the effect of the traditional fiscal regulations of Ronald Reagan, which cut monetary support for the CDC, as well as other government health facilities, just when they wanted to undertake the biggest public health issue of the century (Spottiswoode, 1993). The film outlines the complex reaction to the surfacing of AIDS, which was affected by discrimination against gays, as well as other marginalized groups (Halkitis, Moeller & Siconolfi, 2010). Francis Don was a doctor and acted this part to narrate the lack of response, which cause many deaths and permitted the HIV/AIDS virus to spread virtually unrestrained for years (Spottiswoode, 1993). The film’s premise, or Francis’ theory, was that since the virus appeared in groups the conventional culture wished to ignore, doctors, politicians and scientists were all blinded and did not succeed in halting the spread of the virus (Spottiswoode, 1993). The film forces one to question the political and social milieu this health crisis arose in, which hindered any united response. It always takes huge energy and pledge to view our very own blind spots. For any individual concerned in public health, the significant questions, which come up, are: who is the “other person” now? Do we have the courage and vision to react to the next predicament, no matter the place it arises? Given these issues, this film becomes a modern warning tale (Spottiswoode, 1993). The story warns us to remember the ways that HIV/AIDS was overlooked so that they can have the humbleness not to repeat it with the next illness that materializes amid the disenfranchised. The movie bring out the point that, in spite of clear differences, everyone is the same, closely connected (Spottiswoode, 1993). The film leaves us to consider how to construct an environment where there is no “other person.” In conclusion, the research on AIDS, as portrayed in the film And the Band Played On, transformed from a health venture to a scientific disaster due to the prejudiced society, traditional political climate, the obstructions put in the CDCs endeavors, some scientists wish for fame, and the business merciless hunt of profits. The director demonstrates both the macro-level disagreements of science against industry, the freedom of the individual against the rights of society, as well as the micro-level relations between scientists, the gay community, lawyers, politicians and others. Also, it depicts the astonishing, yet heroic, attempts of people like Francis, Jaffey and Daryl. Altogether, the film gives an astonishingly real and uncompromising look at the issues of society, but simultaneously, offers the viewers hope that they might one day be rectified. References Halkitis, P. N., Moeller, R. W., & Siconolfi, D. (2010). Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) HIV prevention project: Findings from the qualitative interviews of 18-29 year old YMSM. New York: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Spottiswoode, R. (1993). And The Band Played On. Retrieved from http://www.sockshare.com/file/2P9IA3OB5ECG# Read More