Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS

Director Rolie Nikiwe features in the film as Kalu, a football star who moves from Kenya to South Africa and urban Johannesburg. Kalu falls in love with the coach's daughter and discovers that he is HIV positive. Throughout the story, animation is used to show audiences what is happening inside of his body, including the moment of infection, how HIV passes from one person to another, and how anti-retroviral medicines work.

According to the producers, the idea for an educational film about the science of HIV came as Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership (DCGEP) producers asked educators for topic ideas for school kids and community members. Soliciting relevant subject ideas from teachers and school administrators in Sub Saharan Africa who are most familiar with the needs of their students and community is one way DCGEP makes sure their films connect with audiences. Research suggested that many people were tired of being told what to do, and instead wanted an explanation of how the disease works.

Using both fiction and non-fiction storytelling, producers state that the final script is a careful balance between an entertaining drama and communicating information.

Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS will be broadcast on television and in schools across sub-Saharan Southern Africa. Behind-the-scenes shorts from Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS will also be produced and will be broadcast on Discovery's portfolio of TV channels in South Africa at the same time as when the film will be released.

The project also has an Inside Story: The Science of HIV/AIDS facebook page.

HIV/AIDS