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How to Survive a Plague

Name: How to Survive a Plague
Genre: Documentary, History
Released: 2012-09-21
Cast: Peter Staley, Larry Kramer, Iris Long, Bob Rafsky, Mark Harrington

2012 | 109 min | Documentary, History

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for the curious and history buffs. If you loved Paris Is Burning, start here.
The mood: Eye-opening.
The pace: Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 49 min.
What might put you off: Nothing much for most grown-ups.

A story of two coalitions – ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) – whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. Despite having no scientific training, these self-made activists infiltrated the pharmaceutical industry and helped identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$132K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 20K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by David France

Peter StaleySelf
Larry KramerSelf
Iris LongSelf
Bob RafskySelf
Mark HarringtonSelf
Anthony FauciSelf
David BarrSelf - Gay Rights Attorney
Jim EigoSelf
Ann NorthropSelf - New York News Producer