Written by Dylan Randall-Newberg. Photo courtesy of IMDb.
“The Ruth Brinker Story” chronicled the life and impact of AIDS activist Ruth Brinker. The film followed Brinker through the dismal height of the epidemic, a beacon of hope in her trademark red blazer, as she fought for those too weak to fight for themselves. Brinker found herself surrounded by pain and saw what was missing: love and hope.
Victims of AIDS were often dying not of the disease but of the malnutrition that accompanied it when they fell too ill to cook or shop. This did not go ignored by Brinker and her small group of volunteers. They put themselves on the frontlines as they brought meals door to door. What started as a group of ten volunteers and two thousand dollars grew to become Project Open Hand, a non-profit organization that lives on today.
The film brilliantly juxtaposed clips of the media and conversational interviews with Brinker. The duality of the way Brinker spoke of the issue and the way the popular media ostracized victims is telling. Brinker speaks with a kindness that is palpable, while reporters cast blame and shame onto victims. Together, this effectively gave a clear picture of just how special her attitude and actions were.
Brinker was a champion not only for those dying of the disease but those living through the epidemic. In testimonials from her volunteers, they spoke about how they felt powerless to help those dying all around them until meeting Brinker. Brinker soothed the sick’s bodies and healed the living’s minds.
“The Ruth Brinker Story” is expertly crafted and vividly illustrates how Brinker and Project Open Hand gave, and continues to give, power to the powerless.
