How to Survive a Plague is a raw, urgent, and deeply human documentary chronicling the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the United States and the grassroots movement that transformed public health policy. Through archival footage, news clips, and the voices of activists themselves, the film captures the rise of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and TAG (Treatment Action Group) in the late 1980s—two groups that fought to hold government, media, and pharmaceutical companies accountable for inaction as tens of thousands were dying.

This film is not only a record of grief and rage, but a testament to the power of organized, strategic resistance. It shows how everyday people—many with no background in medicine or activism—taught themselves science, stormed public hearings, and forced changes that would eventually lead to life-saving treatments. Their fearless civil disobedience, sharp messaging, and solidarity pushed AIDS out of the shadows and into the national conversation.

How to Survive a Plague is essential viewing for adult audiences, especially organizers, public health advocates, and anyone engaged in justice work. Its subject matter includes death, illness, and government neglect, making it more suitable for mature viewers. But for those ready to engage, the film offers a masterclass in how organizing can save lives—even when the odds seem insurmountable.

More than a historical document, this film is a tribute to love, loss, and the extraordinary courage of those who refused to be forgotten. It’s a reminder that survival, in the face of indifference, can be an act of revolution.