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.

Director: Weijun Chen

Cast: 马深义, 雷梅, 马宁宁, 马荣, 马占槽

Audience-only score — full critic data not yet in the ReelXO vault.