Haitian Documentary Fights HIV Stigma

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Dec. 19 2003 — The documentary "Lavi Ka Bel" or "Life Can Be Beautiful" was launched by PSI/Haiti at one of Port-au-Prince's largest cinemas to commemorate World AIDS Day 2003 on Dec. 1. The film aims to shatter myths, dispel stigmatization and serve as an educational tool to be used by people living with HIV/AIDS and other groups involved in HIV prevention efforts.

Guests of honor attending the film's launch included David Adams, Haiti mission director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Global Fund representatives and people living with HIV/AIDS who participated in the documentary.

Haiti is the Caribbean country with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence. Widespread prevention efforts over the past 10-15 years have made significant inroads, increasing levels of awareness and reinforcing preventive behaviors. But while the number of new cases appears to be diminishing among some groups, many myths about the disease persist and foster stigma and discrimination that keep many people infected with HIV/AIDS in Haiti quiet and out of the public eye.

Skeptics continue to be doubtful of the conventional medical community and question whether HIV/AIDS truly exists or is simply a fabrication. Many others believe it is the result of supernatural forces - spells cast by ill-wishing acquaintances or the intervention of malevolent spirits. More still may recognize its existence but believe that it does not affect their community. All of these myths are perpetuated by limited visibility of people living openly with HIV/AIDS.

"Lavi Ka Bel" shows the human face of HIV/AIDS in Haiti. The candid stories of three people living with HIV- Linda Mathurin, Liony Accelus and Marie-Rose Verneret - are featured throughout the film. They speak openly about their experiences, their past and the support, or lack thereof, of friends and families. Their stories are interwoven with a group of HIV-positive and HIV-negative Haitian musicians who are composing a song about HIV/AIDS. A series of sidewalk interviews with Haitians throughout the country is also integrated, allowing the documentary to contrast myths and misperceptions with the reality of the epidemic.

Copies of the documentary are being made available to local non-governmental organizations and mass media. While the documentary may be disseminated as a stand-alone document, it is designed for use in interpersonal communication settings, to be followed by dialogue and question-and-answer sessions facilitated by people living with HIV/AIDS or other trained facilitators.

The documentary was developed by PSI/Haiti, produced by Eliane Bayard of PubliGestion S.A., and directed and realized by Laurence and Rachel Magloire. All financial support for the documentary was provided by the Global Fund for AIDS.

— Elizabeth Beachy, PSI/Haiti

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The PSI/Haiti documentary film "Lavi Ka Bel" shows the human face of HIV while dispelling myths and fighting stigma.