AIDS in the Movies

The Dallas Buyers Club (Solavagione & O’Neill 2014) shows AIDs patients during the early stages of the disease’s discovery. Patients went through difficult times during this period because there was little understanding about the disease, and doctors worked tirelessly to find a cure. The film Dallas Buyers’ plot revolves around the lives of the main characters who are suspected of being infected with the virus. Their experiences teach us a lot about how the aids virus spreads and how dangerous it can be.

A) What did you discover about AIDS and its victims that you didn’t know before?

The movie has taught me a lot of new things that I didn’t know before. The film has enlightened me on various things that I did not already know about the virus despite the publicity it has been given over the years. One such is that a single act of unprotected sex could lead to contraction of the aids virus. In the film, Ron Woodroof contracted the virus after just a single attempt of unprotected sex. Contrary to my misconception, I have always assumed that the virus can only be contracted after several attempts since its transfer occurs through blood transfer. Another thing that has become more apparent is the pain and frustration that the victims go through upon contracting the virus. Knowing that you have only 30 days to live can be so devastating. Ron Wood roof found himself in such a scenario; filled with the will to live, he engaged every possible means to stay alive (Heck, 2015).

B) Did you find you had any misconceptions that were cleared up by the film?

The film netted a few misconceptions that have always limited my understanding of the AIDS virus and its spread. One of the misconceptions is that a single act of unprotected sex could lead to contraction of the virus. This is a common belief among my friends and me; the film has clearly illustrated that any act of unprotected sex possesses high risks of AIDS contraction. Another misconception cleared by the movie is that the victims can live healthy lives. The misconception is not true. The film depicts the people living with AIDS to be going through tough times, depression, confusion, frustrations, and hopelessness (Erasmus, 2016). This implies that despite the various available interventions, living with aids presents a whole challenge and transformation in one’s life.

C) Do you feel you have a better understanding of and empathy for the suffering of people living with AIDS?

People living with AIDS go through a frustrations, pain, agony, and state of helplessness. I feel much empathy for the characters and the lives they lead, knowing that you only have a few days to live. The pain of leaving behind your children, family, or wife makes the entire process more painful and antagonizing. The victims, therefore, seem to be going through bitter moments that under normal circumstance would make life to be highly uncomfortable (Sharma, 2017).

D) What suggestions do you have for getting the message across to teenagers and college students to engage in safe sex?

Teens and students need to have a better understanding of the AIDS virus, its spread and risks attached. Youths and teens best understand through illustrations; the use of films of this nature can help in passing information about the proliferation of the diseases and the associated risk factors. Apart from the movie, seminars and workshop training should be organized to educate the youths on the dangers of unprotected sex. Also, the school curriculum at all levels should offer teachings on the importance of engaging in safe sex to stay healthy (Ford, 2017). The age of the social media has brought about intolerable lust among the youths and teens, leading to increased irresponsible sexual behavior. The social media should also initiate a campaign to create awareness of the dangers of unprotected sex and how teens can avoid such.

Reference

Ford, A. (2017). The Dallas Buyers Club. TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, 4(1), 135-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1215/23289252-3711601

Heck, C. (2015). Dallas Buyers Club (2013) - Movie | Moviefone. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from https://www.bing.com/cr?IG=C44EF1E286B54C7D8B9687A084C91F8D&CID=1C5811A2B6D2600624811BEEB7E361A9&rd=1&h=5UNs3kXe6FfhEshlsVBz609Kf0xH8NscEY9nPbH4V5I&v=1&r=https%3a%2f%2fwww.moviefone.com%2fmovie%2fdallas-buyers-club%2f10125321%2fmain%2f&p=DevEx,5155.1

Sharma, N. (2017). HIV/AIDS awareness for migrant communities in the rural hills of Nepal. Sexual Health Exchange. Dallas: Brown Books Publishing Group

Solavagione, L., & O’Neill, M. (2014). Dallas buyers club (1st ed.). Barcelona: RBA Revistas.