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To Live Is Better Than To Die
In the 1990s HIV/AIDS came to Wenlou through a blood purchasing program. To supplement their income many poor villagers sold their blood and 60% of those who sold blood contracted HIV/AIDS from unsanitary equipment. Many have died from the disease. In his documentary film, To Live is Better than to Die, Wiejun Chen tells of the impact AIDS has had in parts of rural China by showing how it has affected the Ma family. It is spring when the film takes up the family’s story.
| Release : | 2003 |
| Rating : | 7.9 |
| Studio : | |
| Crew : | Cinematography, Director, |
| Cast : | |
| Genre : | Documentary |
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Reviews
the audience applauded
Best movie ever!
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
I just saw this film today on Youtube. I wish I saw it back in 2003, maybe I could have made a small donation to the family. On youtube, someone said they have all died except the oldest daughter. I hope it isn't true but it probably is. The mother and father of a poor Chinese peasant family were infected with the HIV virus through plasma/blood donation in exchange for money which was encouraged/perpetuated by the Chinese government. The film doesn't go in depth on the perpetrators of the scheme nor the scope of the problem but does give a slice of life on how one family copes with the devastation of HIV and their impending fates. The family in this film is so brave and courageous, your heart just breaks for them.
I'm from China. This afternoon I watched this movie, and attended the communication with Mr. Chen, the Director.Ma Shenyi, the father of this family, is ill (I mean worse than just "HIV positive") now. We felt sad when heard this news.Ma Rong, the younger sister, almost died. However, the father gave her medicine provided to him in smaller quantity and her illness is stable.Ma Niu, the elder sister and the only family member who's not HIV positive, is promised to be supported for her education spending.And some other information, the song in this film was sung by a local old person, whose son and daughter-in-law were dead because of AIDS.
A documentary about a family in rural China where a third of the villagers who donated blood in 1990 became ill with Aids.The mother of this family is already very sick when the film begins. Only the older daughter, a lovely, sad, good pupil of the fourth grade isn't HIV positive. Her younger sister and brother have it. Almost month by month, the film shows them. The father, loving and sweet to his kids, learns to cook and take care of their clothes. The mother is unable to move, eat or speak. He's terribly worried about the future of his beloved children, especially if he dies. It's painful to watch. The film ends in 2003, and I half want half dread to hear how they are now, in 2006. It's impossible not to be fond of these people.
This film is difficult to watch because it is hard to believe that conditions still exist like this on earth. The film really shows the impact of AIDS on poor people in China. My heart was heavy after watching the suffering of this family. Watch this film and learn. I have a new perspective of AIDS' impact on the world after viewing this film
