United in Anger: A History of ACT UP is a documentary film that recounts the formation and history of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), a grassroots advocacy organization that formed in response to the AIDS epidemic that emerged in the United States during the 1980s. The film is directed by Jim Hubbard and features interviews with numerous individuals who were involved in the organization, as well as archival footage and news clips.
ACT UP was founded in New York City in 1987, and quickly grew to become a nationwide movement. The organization's primary goal was to fight for access to effective treatments for HIV/AIDS, which at the time were scarce and often prohibitively expensive. Members of ACT UP employed a range of tactics, from street demonstrations and civil disobedience to direct lobbying and media advocacy, in order to draw attention to the urgent need for action on the part of government officials, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers.
In addition to its advocacy work, ACT UP also provided a space for people affected by HIV/AIDS to come together and support one another. The organization's meetings and actions were marked by a spirit of radical inclusion and a commitment to empowering people living with HIV/AIDS to take charge of their own lives and health. The film captures this spirit through interviews with ACT UP members and footage from meetings and protests.
United in Anger portrays ACT UP as a visionary organization that paved the way for many other social justice movements. The film shows how the tactics and strategies developed by ACT UP - such as coalition-building, direct action, and media-savvy advocacy - influenced and inspired other groups fighting for social and political change. The film also documents some of the significant victories that ACT UP achieved, such as the accelerated approval of new drugs for HIV/AIDS and the creation of the Ryan White CARE Act, which provided federal funding for HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
However, the film also highlights the many challenges and setbacks that ACT UP faced in its fight against HIV/AIDS. The organization was often met with hostility from politicians, public health officials, and members of the general public who were uninformed or afraid of the disease. ACT UP members also had to contend with internal divisions and disagreements over strategy and tactics, which threatened to tear the organization apart at times.
Throughout the film, we see how ACT UP members responded to these challenges with determination, unity, and a sense of purpose. The film's title, United in Anger, reflects the intense emotions that motivated ACT UP members to fight for their own lives and the lives of those they loved. The film emphasizes that, despite its flaws and limitations, ACT UP remains an important model for how to organize and advocate for social justice.
Overall, United in Anger provides a moving and insightful look at the history of ACT UP and the AIDS epidemic in the United States. The film combines powerful personal stories with historical analysis and a look at the social and political context in which ACT UP emerged. The film asks important questions about how to create meaningful social change and how to balance the need for immediate action with a longer-term vision for a more just and equitable society. United in Anger is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in social justice, activism, or HIV/AIDS history.
United in Anger: A History of ACT UP is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 73.
