The Origins of AIDS (2004)
"Les origines du SIDA" (original title)

Documentary about the hypothesis that HIV may have been caused by mass vaccination against Polio, in Congo, between 1957 and 1960.

Directors:

Peter Chappell, Catherine Peix Eyrolle

Writers:

Peter Chappell, Stéphane Horel

Stars:

Cecil Fox, Simon Wain-Hobson, Joseph Vandepitte

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cecil Fox	...	Himself (as Dr. Cecil Fox)
Simon Wain-Hobson	...	Himself (as Dr. Simon Wain-Hobson)
Joseph Vandepitte	...	Himself (as Dr. Joseph Vandepitte)
Tom Curtis	...	Himself - Rolling Stone journalist
John Martin	...	Himself - former FDA scientist
Edward Hooper	...	Himself - Author
Bill Hamilton	...	Himself - Biologist
Stanley Plotkin	...	Himself (as Dr. Stanley Plotkin)
Robin Weiss	...	Himself (as Dr. Robin Weiss)
Joseph Limbaya Mwenge	...	Himself - Camp Lindi
Baelo Alukelo	...	Himself - Camp Lindi (as Christophe Bayello)
Philippe Elebe	...	Himself - former assistant
Pierre Doupagne	...	Himself
Jacques Kanyama	...	Himself - former assistant
Amelie Ndababaye	...	Herself - Gihanga villager

Storyline

From the hyphotesis of British journalist Edward Hoope, the film reopens the explosively controversial subject of the origins of AIDS, zeroing in specifically on his fiercely contested proposition that the HIV virus was first transmitted to children in the Belgian Congo via contaminated polio vaccine.

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Plot Keywords:

vaccine | colonialism | science | chimpanzee | acronym in title | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

Canada Belgium France Spain UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

2 May 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Origins of AIDS

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Channel 4 Television Corporation, Frame 2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Black and White Color

User Reviews

Haunting and powerful

I have seen this documentary several times and have studied the question of the origin of the AIDS epidemic for many years. I thought it was actually being conservative for what it could have presented as relevant or in support of Hoopers' theory.

It was riveting to actually see and hear members of the team that made the vaccine in question speak about their experiences and reveal little known evidence about its production. I was shocked at the statement of one famous vaccinologist when asked about its production.

I found myself saying 'Oh my God' at other evidence shown but only briefly touched upon. I think that if you know enough about the subject before seeing this documentary you will likely not view the pandemic and those affected as you did before. Especially, when you ponder the many implications of the evidence presented in the political climate of the times.