A Robert Bilheimeir's documentary A Closer Walk is a film about AIDS. Narrated by Will Smith and Glenn Close, the film explores the intricate relationship between health, dignity and human rights in relation to harsh realities of AIDS. The documentary also features interviews with the luminaries like Dalai Lama, Kofi Annan and Bono on topics related to AIDS. Backed by strong cinematography from the talented Richard D. Young, the film manages to hold attention of viewers from beginning to end.
The movie opens with a heart rendering scene of an African doctor tending a little boy dying of AIDS. Then it moves in a breath taking pace from country to country across the continents, unfolding visual horrors, with recounts from AIDS patients and skilful narrations. The interviews of charitable people like Dalai Lama and Kofi Annan lends further momentum as the movie progresses. There are engaging discussions about homosexuality, prostitution, condoms, victimization and human rights violations in the movie. Bilhemeir direction of the film easily strikes a chord with audiences.
The peculiar feature about the movie is that it has succeeded covering every aspect of global AIDS experience, which includes the AIDS patients and concerned people like doctors, scientists, nurses, pastors, human right advocates, social activists etc. It examines the causes underlying AIDS and issues of health, dignity and human rights faced by the HIV patients, while emphasizing the need for universal action and commitment on the part of society to counter it.
One very special feature of the documentary is the presence of Hollywood actor Will Smith as co-narrator with Glenn Close. His presence has ensured an aurora that only Will Smith Movies can lend. His willingness to do a role in a not-for-profit film that addresses a serious issue like AIDS speaks volume of his wonderful personae. A Closer Walk is thus a very special kind of Will Smith movie.
Bilhemeir took three years to complete this movie and shot the movie in nine countries across four continents. Upon its release in 2003 the film received critical acclaim. The film since then has been screened thousands of times all over the world. It has become a sort of fashion to screen the movie on global AIDS day. The film has been shot using professional equipment rather than a mere video recording – a trend not seen in documentary film shooting.
However the film was also criticized on various counts. They feel the narration by Glenn Close and Will Smith could have been better. The film was also criticized for overt Christian content; the movie prominently features pastors talking about salvation and messages from Bible.
Despite the criticisms, A Closer Walk has succeeded in putting AIDS crisis in perspective. More than anything else the film was made at a time when AIDS has become a dangerously passé topics on many counts. Those who watched the movie will unlikely to forget the vivid scene of a Ukrainian boy shooting up with a needle or smiling Ugandan girl who wants nothing in her life. This documentary is a must watch for all the stakeholders in the AIDS eradication programs and of course for all fans of Will Smith Movies.