2002
Distributed by Aquarius Health Care Videos, 18 N. Main St., PO Box 1159, Sherborn, MA 01770; 888-440-2963
Produced by Megan Williams and Jon Dunham
Directed by Jon Dunham
VHS, color, 42 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Death and Dying, Gay and Lesbian Studies, Health Sciences, Social Work
Reviewed by Samantha J. Gust, Niagara University Library, Niagara University, NY
Highly Recommended
This emotional film documents the June 2001 California AIDS Ride, a seven-day bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles held to raise money for AIDS services and to raise awareness of this deadly disease. Today, more than 20 years since its identification, there is still no vaccine or cure.
Throughout the video, the narrator and event participants touch upon topics such as complacency, education, the government, infection rates, medicine and prevention, but there are no counter interviews with government or medical officials.
Viewers will also see interviews with a few riders, each of whom has somehow been affected by the disease. For example, Christina Wright lost her mother, sister and father to AIDS. David Tallman is an AIDS survivor, but he lost his partner of seventeen years as well as several friends to the disease. These interviews are compelling and sad, but feelings of hope and healing are eminent. There are also interviews with other participants who help out along the way by ensuring road safety, by cheering the riders on and by working at rest stops and overnight camps. Seeing the riders finish while dealing with elements like hills, wind and heat is emotional and inspiring.
Technically, the sound and video quality are very good, and the California scenery is stunning. There is brief nudity in a “skinny dipping” scene.
Highly recommended for high school students, college students and adults.