5B

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2:12

5B

PG-13

Released Jun 14, 2019

1h 35m

Documentary

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100%

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21 Reviews

97%

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Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

At the heart of the HIV/AIDs crisis and widespread hysteria, a single number and letter designated a ward on the fifth floor of San Francisco General Hospital, the first in the country designed specifically to deal with AIDS patients. The unit's nurses' emphasis on humanity and consideration of holistic well-being was a small miracle amid a devastating crisis and the ensuing panic about risk and infection.

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Kathleen Sachs

Chicago Reader

Its simplicity is in service of its effectiveness.

Sep 7, 2019

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Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

"5B" proves as inspiring as it does unsettling with its heroic stories of the hospital staffers and allies who fought ignorance, fear, bigotry and political wrangling to protect the rights and integrity of AIDS patients.

Jun 13, 2019

Full Review

Pat Padua

Washington Post

"5B" is ultimately about survival, and the struggle at its center is undeniably a heartbreaking one.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 12, 2019

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Michael Cuby

them.

Featuring powerful interviews and unseen footage, 5B is inspiring and empowering.

Oct 31, 2022

Full Review

Hagan Osborne

FILMINK (Australia)

...an act of human exceptionalism.

Rated: 16/20

Apr 1, 2021

Full Review

Doug Jamieson

The Jam Report

A beautiful portrait of the men and women who refused to sit quietly while hundreds suffered.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 31, 2020

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Jon

A beautiful story of people showing compassion and love for our fellow man.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/19

Full Review

r

important topic and interesting subject matter but I found it to be too slow to hold my attention in many spots. could have been done better but still worth a view

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/19/19

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Joshua R

Very intimate and touching film. It’s a must see to appreciate and understand more of the HIV issues and the caring community.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/19

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Audience Member

Amazing. Eye opening to get a real sense of what it was like the first few years of the AIDS epidemic. I was born In 1987 although I knew of it and heard how bad it was I never really got it. Wonderfully done with such poise and digb

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Amazing. For those of us that lived through this time, it is nice to know about these selfless nurses and caregivers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

This documentary primarily focusses on the stories and recollections of multiple nursing staff, several carers and relatives and a large volume of distressing footage of many people living, and dying, on the 5B AIDS Ward in San Francisco Hospital. The story of carers and nurses in the crisis years of AIDS is vital important and needs to be told however I was concerned some of the narrative was a little problematic. I was especially concerned about whether and how consent from People Living With AIDS had been sought for some of the footage. It appeared in several cases that they so ill that People with AIDS may not have been in a position to make an informed consent for filming. Some of this vintage footage of patients felt exploitative and sensationalist to me. I expected a documentary which focuses on those 1980s days and especially the ignorance, homophobia, HIV stigma and political inaction to have something to add that might help us reflect on HIV/AIDS in 2019. MY fear is that failing to seriously connect with the current situation, science, health care perpetuates a very old tragedy and victim narrative around people living with HIV, community attitudes and ongoing HIV stigma and outdated knowledge about HIV prevention and treatment.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Dan Krauss

Director

Paul Haggis

Director

Dan Krauss

Writer

Paul Haggis

Producer

Rupert Maconick

Producer

Brett Henenberg

Producer

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Synopsis

At the heart of the HIV/AIDs crisis and widespread hysteria, a single number and letter designated a ward on the fifth floor of San Francisco General Hospital, the first in the country designed specifically to deal with AIDS patients. The unit's nurses' emphasis on humanity and consideration of holistic well-being was a small miracle amid a devastating crisis and the ensuing panic about risk and infection.

Director: Dan Krauss, Paul Haggis
Producer: Paul Haggis, Rupert Maconick, Brett Henenberg, Dan Krauss
Screenwriter: Dan Krauss
Distributor: RYOT
Production Co: Saville Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Unsettling Images|Thematic Content)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.0K
Runtime: 1h 35m

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