On May 4th, ((RED) with Anonymous Content and HBO Documentary Films screened the documentary The Lazarus Effect, at a star-studded event at the Museum of Modern Art. The Lazarus Effect, is a half hour documentary airing on HBO on Monday, May 24th, 2010 at 9:00pm, which is at the center of a multi-media campaign by ((RED) to raise awareness about the impact of large scale AIDS programs at work in Sub-Saharan Africa. It follows the stories of four individuals whose lives have been transformed from a near death existence to a healthier, more stable life in as little as three months. The film tracks the incredible power of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) and their ability to transform HIV positive people from sickly and deathly thin to healthy and full of hope. It was truly amazing to watch as people were completely transformed over the course of only three months by taking ARVs, a medicine which only costs 40 cents per day to fund.
HIV/AIDS is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it has killed more than 20 million people in Africa. In 2002, more than 29 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa had HIV, yet only 50,000 people could afford the $10,000 a year treatment they needed to stay alive. Today, thanks to increased political support, a push by global health organizations, and contributions from the private sector, the cost of ARV drugs is now around 40 cents a day and more than three million people in Africa, are now receiving treatment. The availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, which block HIV’s assault on the body’s immune system, can transform the lives of people from near death to health in as little as three months. This has been dubbed “The Lazarus Effect” after the story in the Bible when Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead.
Director Lance Bangs and the subjects of the documentary Constance Mudenda and Concillia Muhau were in attendance. Major celebs in attendance included: Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson and Adam Clayton of U2, Chris Rock and his wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, Hayden Christensen.
After credits rolled, guests headed over to the Ace Hotel’s Liberty Hall for the after-party. On my way out, I saw that Hayden Christensen was surrounded by adoring fans asking for autographs.
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