The Battle of amfAR

Gr 10 Up—This brief documentary explains the founding and accomplishments of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and gives considerable historical context. The first quarter sets the scene in the HIV/AIDS crisis of the early 1980s, effectively demonstrating the enormous need for research and the political, monetary, and scientific obstacles that researchers such as Dr. Mathilde Krim faced. Only after this context is established is amfAR mentioned, though the remainder of the film remains focused on the foundation and touches only very slightly on AIDS activism and research. The bulk of it documents amfAR's impact and pays tribute to one of its founders and most vocal champions, actress Elizabeth Taylor. The interviews with people whose lives have been saved by amfAR-funded research are very moving. The extensive paean to Taylor, worthy though she is, may be less compelling to contemporary students. Production values are high: dramatic background music and quick pacing complement a mix of archival footage and talking-head interviews. Teachers should be prepared for brief profanity and frank mentions of sex work and intravenous drug use.