The Lazarus Effect is a 2010 documentary film --- edited by Kjerstin Rossi --- about the positive impact of free antiretroviral drug therapy on HIV/AIDS patients in Africa. It was directed by Lance Bangs, and executive produced by Spike Jonze, after an organizer from AIDS awareness group (RED) suggested the project to them. The film features patients and medical staff in Zambia speaking about their experiences and was produced by (RED) and HBO. It was screened on HBO and Channel 4 in May 2010, and it is also available on YouTube.Synopsis
Made in Zambia, the 30-minute film tracks several people who were seriously ill but return to a healthier condition in a relatively short period of time after starting free antiretroviral drug therapy. HIV-positive patients and medical staff recount their experiences and the impact medication has made on their lives in their own words.