"The Truth In Cinema..."

Thought Provoking - Even Shocking - Well Acted - Superb Production Values

Homophobic - Inaccurate - Missed Opportunity  

This short film was apparently intended as a wake-up call to the Black community regarding HIV/AIDS (one is sorely needed).  But it fails on some important points... It implies that "the source" of HIV/AIDS is gay men (although we are a vector in the epidemic).  

The homophobia is palpable... hardly the message that's needed if the Black community is to become more fair, honest and open about understanding and dealing with the reality of homosexuality and  "the down-low" behavior of men who feel they must lie, cheat and hide their sexuality in order to have a place in the community.  Take note that so devalued are gays from the perspective of the filmmaker that in the "score keeping," the tally begins with the "married man" and not his gay lover.  

Moreover, the film sends dangerously flawed messages about dealing with HIV.  The film suggests that exposure equals death.... without any testing/treatment everyone contracts HIV and dies in short order from AIDS, except the "married man" who does the "honorable" thing - suicide.  Are these really the messages we want to send to a community already devastated by ignorance and misinformation?  

So much is wrong with this incredibly needed film, that at the end, I began to wonder if the real "wrong choice" was to make this film at all.  And yet, the statistics quoted at the introduction are true and so if it's this or nothing to provoke people to think about their choices and the consequences thereof, then maybe, just maybe, and only  until something better comes along - let's start thinking!

"Fear Eats the Soul"