Condoms, fish and circus tricks. The A.I.D.S. pandemic in sub-saharan Africa

Description

Shot in Malawi, South Africa and Zambia, this is a compelling documentary on the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is ravaging Southern Africa. It takes an intimate look at the people who are dying, those who are caring for them, and why this disease has had such a devastating impact on African society. In a remote village in Malawi, the struggle against AIDS is led by local volunteers who care for the orphan children and those that are dying, without the medicines, clean water, or even rubber gloves. In a fishing village on Zambia?s Kafue Flats the local fishermen earn their livelihood by selling their catch. When women don?t have the money to pay, the men often trade their fish for sex. The result has been a huge surge of AIDS patients, overwhelming the local hospital which has only three doctors and three hundred beds. The film reveals a "quiet revolution" is underway as young people are talking about sex and challenging traditional concepts of sexuality. Through performances in a street circus young people are spreading the message of AIDS prevention. It is these young people that offer hope for Africa?s future.

Runtime

48 min

Creator

Rooney, Brenda

Subjects

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

2003

Database

Alexander Street

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