Lavi Ka Bel (Life Can Be Beautiful) Documentary - Haiti

"Lavi Ka Bel" uses personal portraits of people living with HIV/AIDS as a means of showing the human face of the disease. This strategy reflects organisers' conviction that myths impeding awareness, health-seeking behaviour, and compassion toward those impacted by HIV/AIDS are perpetuated by limited visibility of people living openly with HIV/AIDS. To this end, the candid stories of 3 people living with HIV (PLWHA) - Linda Mathurin, Liony Accelus, and Marie-Rose Verneret - are featured throughout the film. These people speak openly about their experiences, their past activities, and the support (or lack thereof) of friends and families. Their stories are interwoven with images and sounds of 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, which is designed to allow the documentary to contrast myths and misperceptions with the reality of the epidemic.

The process of making the film reflected a commitment to participation. Before any interviews took place, organisations working with PLWHA were contacted to seek their participation. These groups referred filmmakers to a number of people who might wish to participate. Interviews were then conducted with potential "actors"; a key criterion was that participants believed they had something to tell. The 3 who were chosen expressed a desire to find a way to talk about their lives with HIV/AIDS, to be liberated from the heavy burden of silence, and to escape their isolation. They also believed that, in speaking about their own experiences, they could help others. Discussion took place between filmmakers and those portrayed in the film prior to production, so that the purpose of the documentary was clear and the "actors" had a chance to ask questions. PSI staff claim to have maintained close contacts with all 3 of them at all stages, including after filming was complete, to ensure that they continue to receive the support they need.

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

The film was launched by PSI/Haiti at one of Port-au-Prince's largest cinemas to commemorate World AIDS Day 2003 on December 1. Among other guests of honour at this launch were the people living with HIV/AIDS who participated in the documentary.

HIV/AIDS, Stigma.

According to PSI, Haiti has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence of any Caribbean country. PSI observes that widespread prevention efforts since the late 1980s and early 1990s have made significant inroads, increasing levels of awareness and reinforcing preventive behaviours. However, they say, 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.

Specifically, as PSI puts it, skeptics continue to be doubtful of the conventional medical community and question whether HIV/AIDS truly exists or is simply a fabrication. Others believe that AIDS is the result of supernatural forces - spells cast by ill-wishing acquaintances or the intervention of malevolent spirits. Still others recognise its existence but believe that it does not affect their community.