Part one follows the trail of a medical mystery which began in 1981 when five gay men in Los Angeles were diagnosed with a deadly new disease. The film traces the international response in the first uncertain years of the epidemic, contrasting moments of inspirational leadership with the tragedy of missed opportunities. It reveals the astounding spread from one infection in 1930 to over 70 million infections in 2006. Part two explores the chasm that emerged between rich and poor following the development of the miraculous "triple cocktail" HIV treatment. While the discovery seemed to signal a new era in which AIDS was no longer a fatal disease, the high price of the drugs meant they were unaffordable to patients in developing nations. Also examines the next wave of the AIDS epidemic in some of the most populous and strategically important nations in the world, including Russia, India and China, and tracks the same pattern of official denial and political indifference that characterized the epidemic in so many other countries.

CIRC # 243.

producer and director, William Cran ; written by William Cran & Renata Simone --producer and director, Greg Barker ; written by Greg Barker & Renata Simone. -- Part one / -- Part two / Twenty-five years after the first reported cases, FRONTLINE presents the AGE OF AIDS. Featuring interviews with Bono, President Clinton, Dr. David Ho, and dozens of other prominent AIDS activists, policymakers, and scientists, the documentary examines how and why humanity has failed to stop the spread of HIV. Filmed in 19 countries, this epic four hour series chronicles the scientific breakthroughs, political struggles, and the human cost of the AIDS pandemic.