Introduction
The documentary United in Anger: A History of ACT UP chronicles the origin and development of the AIDS activist movement. Activists fought both for their rights and against state indifference to this serious public problem. The film contains archive footage that depicts the history of the movement and excerpts from the protests. The most impressive action in the film for me was the protest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Events Depicted in the Documentary
The protest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is reflected in the film most vividly. It took place in 1989 and was aimed at dissatisfaction with the church’s policy of preventing contraception and abortion (United in Anger 00:37:00-00:41:00). The scene where activists inside the church were screaming that church politics was killing people was most impressive (United in Anger 00:40:00). This scene made me think about the fact that religion has a huge mass impact and that religious authorities have significant responsibility for the ideas they spread. I also felt that silence is what usually kills people.
Interestingly, the activists conveyed this main idea precisely by shouting. This form of protest impressed me and made me think that one should never be silent about discrimination or violations of rights. I am sure that this protest was effective, as it was one of the most massive actions of ACT UP. The activists were successful in their primary objective of making their voices heard, and as a result, issues such as AIDS, abortion restrictions, and insufficient sex education have been openly discussed ever since.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ACT UP’s activities are most clearly reflected in the documentary footage of the protest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This protest marked the beginning of publicity and open conversation about the problem of the AIDS epidemic. The scene has an emotional impact due to the desperate screams of activists against the backdrop of silent prayers. This scene, like the film as a whole, suggests that it is necessary to speak openly about the problems of modern society at the state and social levels.
Work Cited
United in Anger: A History of ACT UP. Directed by Jim Hubbard. Bronx Documentary Center, 2012.