Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Reuters NewMedia - July 12, 2002
Patricia Reaney
The epidemic has killed 24 million people, more than 13 million children have been robbed of one or both parents, and every 10 seconds somebody in the world dies of AIDS.
But the numbers are so large they can be difficult to comprehend. And they are even harder to relate to a human face showing that an AIDS victim could be anyone's relative, neighbor and friend.
Kennedy, the youngest daughter of the late U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy, has focused on a more manageable number -- five -- to make her film conveying the tragedy of HIV/AIDS.
Her documentary, "Pandemic: Facing AIDS" focuses on the personal struggles of five people across the globe who are living with, have died from or are coping with the consequences of the epidemic.
"It's impossible to understand and grasp what the numbers mean but when you meet one person who is in that situation and you get to know them, and to know their story, you understand it in an emotional way," Kennedy, 33, said.
Focusing on a former Thai sex worker dying in a Buddhist monastery, a Russian couple infected via drug use, a gay Brazilian, orphans in Uganda and an Indian truck driver, the film covers the overwhelming scope of an epidemic that infects all ages, races and religions.
"The inner strength that you see and these small heroic acts that we are able to witness are something I will never forget," Kennedy, 33, said.
EXPERIENCES OF TRAGEDY
Kennedy is no stranger to tragedy. She was born six months after her father was assassinated in 1968. Two of her brothers died young and her cousin John F Kennedy Jr. was flying to her wedding when his plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 1999, killing all on board.
She made "Pandemic: Facing AIDS," which had its world premiere at the 14th International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, because she believes the people who can make a difference are too removed and lack understanding of the AIDS crisis.
If enough individuals are mobilized and enough resources are devoted to education, removing the stigma of HIV/AIDS and promoting prevention and treatment, Kennedy is convinced the global epidemic can be contained.
"But we need the political will. We need the resources. We need the financing in order to do that."
Kennedy hopes that the film, an accompanying book, CD, traveling photography exhibition and Web Site (www.pandemicfacingaids.org) will encourage more people to do something about the tragedy.
"That's what the goal of this film is -- to bring personal stories into the living rooms of people around the world," Kennedy said.
The months of filming expanded her definition of suffering, but along with the sadness and tragedy she found courage and hope. Kennedy is expecting her first child later this year.
"For me each of the people that we followed, each of the people in the film, are heroes and taught me so much about the importance of living, of the value of life."
The film will be shown by the HBO network in the United States next year and later in other countries.
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