Press

Want to understand the AIDS crisis that has South Africa in a death grip? See State of Denial, a terrific expose of a people whose hard-fought freedom is at risk of being rendered irrelevant by a disease that thrives on ignorance and irresponsibility.... Watching it unfold is like taking a bat to the stomach-but with the crucial difference that this artful round of beat-'em up is good for you.
— Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly

The best effects a documentary can achieve: a basic understanding of issues in a complicated matter, about which the viewer then feels compelled to learn more; and a sense of empathy for people and places involved that is deeper than any book or article can hope to evoke.
— Geoff Helly, Pulp

Filmgoers at Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival were buzzing about State of Denial, a powerful film from South African director Elaine Epstein surveying the landscape of the South African AIDS crisis.
— Tamsen Tillson, Variety

"I think it's terrific. It's agony to watch. What makes it so painful is also what makes it good" — Karen Durbin, Elle

"Wonderful. State of Denial was really amazing. The film was made beautifully" — Nicola Frost, Icon

"Excellent. Oh, wow. I'm definitely going to spread the word" — Noreen Mallory, CNN

South African President Thabo Mbeki's stubborn adherence to a radical-minority opinion that HIV transmission doesn't cause AIDS gets raked over the coals in "State of Denial," Elaine Epstein's strong docu about a national health disaster amplified by baffling governmental policy. — Variety