I remember my first interaction with this film was when I was managing an independent video rental shop.  I remember seeing the DVD on the shelf, and I actually glossed right over the cover box and never took the rental home. Why I didn’t think that watching this little gem would have paid off is still a mystery to me, but it wasn’t until I began aligning myself with Women’s Independent Cinema that I actually gave this spectacular film a chance – and I’m so glad that I did.

For an independent film, 3 Needles has a dynamic cast of female leads (Stockard Channing, Olympia Dukakis, Sandra Oh, Lucy Liu, and Chloë Sevigny), and a budget large enough to support the globe-hopping storylines, but even so, it still flies under the film industry’s radar. The entire film follows the small events that lead to larger, more devastating effects through the ripples of the HIV epidemic, and based on this content alone, it’s may not seem like the first film that many consumers might want to pick up to watch. (“What? There are no talking animals? No middle-aged leading men dressed in drag to escape from some cornball situation? That simply will not do!”) I’m so glad that WICinema is giving 3 Needles the spotlight it deserves as the feature film selection for the 2008 Film Collection.

Not only is this film well produced, but also it is informative, thought provoking and even a little discomforting, as any film or media that is trying to accurately portray the confusion and devastation surrounding the current stage of the HIV epidemic should be. The film is comprised of three separate storylines that focus on these overlooked social and economic ripples that can have a ravaging effect on separate populations. Each narrative is distinguished by differing locations (China, Canada, and Africa), and linked by not only infection, but also the most distinct of human conditions - birth, death, sexuality, desperation, and love. Though the scenery and the subject matter maybe foreign to some viewers, everyone can understand the power that these emotions have. And because there are a wide variety of stories told, no matter what type of cinematic storytelling you enjoy, you’ll find a narrative to connect with.

What also makes this film stand out is the level of unapologetic social critique it presents. 3 Needles blatantly exposes economic gains as one of the chief motivators of the HIV virus. Almost every example of infection is due to the need for economic mobility, whether it is a father in China who needs funding to grow crops to provide for his family, or a porn star who is looking to support his family a world away. The film showcases the silent stories of an epidemic that is currently considered by our collective social consciousness as contained. Though our North American location has seen an exponential dip in the HIV infected populations throughout several regions over the past decade or so, this film reminds us that the issues and trials that happen farthest from our doorsteps are important and worth echoing.

3 Needles is a thoughtful and engaging film that should be shared. It challenges current constructions and perceptions of what the HIV epidemic looks like, while also stressing the importance that family, communication and inspiration can have in making a positive difference within peoples’ lives, or a negative one if used unwisely.