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Link to all photos and full sized
photos of the images in this article.
Frontline: The Age of AIDS (PBS)
On the 25th Anniversary of the first diagnosed cases of AIDS, Frontline
examined one of the worst pandemics the world has ever known in
The Age of AIDS. Why humanity has failed to stop the spread of HIV
is the central question of this four-hour, multi-part documentary.
It is one of the most significant scientific and political stories
of our time: how a mysterious agent invaded the human species and
exploited sexual desire, drug addiction, bigotry, greed, political
indifference and bureaucratic inertia to spread itself across the
globe.
Since the initial broadcast, Frontline extended the impact of the
series with community-based Journalism Workshops, Faith-based Grants,
Educational and Community Toolkits funded by a grant from the Corporation
for Public Broadcasting. These activities will run though World
AIDS Day, 2006.
Primetime: Out of Control: AIDS in Black America (ABC)
This was the first national network television news documentary
on the AIDS epidemic that is spreading fast within a specific segment
of the population, but has attracted little consistent attention
from leaders in public health, politic or religion. Black Americans
make up 13% of the U.A. population but account for over 50% of all
new cases of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS – eight times
the infection rate of whites. Among women, the numbers are even
more shocking – almost 70% of all newly diagnosed HIV positive
women in the U.S. are black women. Black women are 23 times more
likely to be diagnosed with AIDS than white women, with heterosexual
contact being the overwhelming method of infection in Black America.
Shortly before his cancer diagnosis, Peter Jennings started work
on a one-hour documentary devoted solely to the issue of AIDS in
Black America. ABC News finished his work in this special edition
of Primetime, reported by terry Moran. In interviews with AIDS activists,
doctors, and those on the front lines of the epidemic, Out of Control
openly paints a sobering and shocking portrait of the disease, the
reason behind its rapid spread in black communities, and the failure
of leadership that has allowed the epidemic to spiral into a crisis
in small towns and inner cities across America.
The Orphans of Nkandla (Cinemax)
From directors Brian Weeds and Deborah Shipley, Orphans of Nkandla
travels to the village of Nkandla in rural Zululand, South Africa
where boys and girls share a common burden: one or both of their
parents have died form AIDS, and they must now care for their siblings
and, in some cases, an ill parent. Sister Hedwick, a nun who works
at a local hospital, is the sole source of vital information about
HIV, AIDS and the importance of prevention and treatment. Sister
Hedwick’s mission is to locate and assist children who have
either lost parents to AIDS or are caring for infected parents and
siblings who may soon die.
Orphans of Nkandla follows her initial work with families on three
devastated homesteads, and returns two years later to see how she
has changed the lives of these vulnerable warriors in the global
battle against the pandemic.
General Hospital (ABC)
In a historic continuation of the groundbreaking story begun 11
years ago, General Hospital has brought its HIV/AIDS storyline front
and center this year with the return of Kimberly McCullough as Dr.
Robin Scorpio. The character was diagnosed with HIV more than a
decade ago, after learning that her first boyfriend had full blown
AIDS. After his death in 1995 Robin became a research pathologist,
however, she struggled daily with the challenges of living with
HIV.
She recently found love again with Dr. Patrick Drake who performed
an operation on an AIDS patient and became exposed to HIV, causing
him to reexamine his life in ways he never imagined, and forcing
Robin to relive the most painful events of her past as well as confront
the realities of her present.
Yesterday (HBO)
Sanctioned by Nelson Mandela and the Nelson Mandela Foundation
from the projects’ inception, Yesterday follows the struggles
of a young mother who has been diagnosed with AIDS, and is a story
of courage, compassion and hope that puts a human face on the politics
and statistics of the AIDS crisis.
Shot on location in Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng, South Africa, the
film is set ten years after the arrival of democracy. When Yesterday
(played by Leleti Khumalo) is diagnosed with AIDS, she must journey
afar to understand and confront her illness. Her driving force is
her seven-years-old daughter, Beauty, who is just a year away from
starting school. Denied the opportunity to go to school herself,
Yesterday sets her sights on a single goal: to be with Beauty on
her first day of class, along with other proud mothers.
Yesterday was written and directed by Darrell James Roodt and produced
by Anant Singh ands Helena Spring
Judith Light, Special Honeree
Special honoree for this event was Judith Light. Light received
two Emmys for best Actress for her role on One Life to Live, starred
on the hit TV series, Who’s the Boss?, and appeared in 15
movies for television. She currently can be seen on the NBC hit
series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and has starred on the
NBC’s Twenty Good Years with John Lithgow and Jeffery Tambor
and on ABC’s Ugly Betty. She also recently produced and starred
in the film Save Me with Chad Allen and Robert Gant.
Light is an advocate for many organizations and charities representing
AIDS-related and Human Rights issues including: Broadway Cares Equity
Fight Aids, The Names Project, AIDS Memorial Quilt, Project Angel
Food, The Point Foundation, The AIDS Memorial Grove, Hollywood Health
and Society, and the Rome Chamber Music Festival.
Reception
After the presentations and awards, the small reception party was
underway in the hall with drinks and refreshments. All The L
Word cast members left pretty quickly after the event, and
I was only able to talk to Erin Daniels for a few minutes while
she was waiting for her car.
Overall, this was a very exciting and emotional event and it was
amazing to see that the media has the power to bring awareness and
education to the public worldwide about AIDS and breast cancer.
AIDS had affected people of all races, creeds, religions, and sexual
orientations. Hopefully, those programs will help to continue fight
against these diseases that have taken far too many people already.
Link to all photos and full sized
photos of the images in this article.
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