Bird Flu: The Movie

Yesterday we learned that a TV movie called Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America will be aired on May 9th on the ABC network. This came as a complete surprise to many, as this project has been kept under wraps by the the producer until yesterday's announcement.

I guess the feeling is, that if any great movies are gonna come out of the next pandemic, we'd better start making them now.

Whether this TV epic turns out to be a great movie, or just another disaster flick is unknown right now. It does have a cast of familier faces: Stacy Keach, Joely Richardson, and Ann Cusack. And the producer claims that it will be an accurate portrayal of what a `worst case' pandemic would be if Avian Flu were to strike the US.

We'll see.

I'm not sure how they will make a movie like this. How will they end it? With haggard doctors caring for wards of flu victims, with more lined up around the block? Or will they find some miracle vaccine in the last 20 minutes and get it distributed nationwide and save the world?

I will, of course, watch it. And regardless of how good or bad the movie turns out, I will pray it will awaken the sleeping masses to the potential of a pandemic.

It will reportedly air on May 9th. Check your local listings.