Controversial Film on Deliberate HIV Sero-Conversion One of 11 Documentaries Accepted to Prestigious Berlin Film Festival
LOS ANGELES -- California filmmaker Louise Hogarth's documentary film, "The Gift," an unvarnished exploration of a subculture of gay men deliberately seeking to become HIV infected, has been accepted for exhibition in the Panorama Dokumente series at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival February 6-16, 2003 in Germany. The documentary, shot mainly in California, is one of only 11 -- and one of only two American* -- documentaries accepted into competition for the 53rd Berlinale.
"I am both honored and humbled that 'The Gift' has been accepted to the Berlin Film Festival," said Hogarth. "Berlin is clearly the largest festival in Europe and one of the most prominent in the world, so I am certain there were many other worthy documentary films for the judges to choose from."
"The Gift" offers a unique lens into a small subculture of HIV negative men in the gay male community who actively seek, or are completely indifferent about, becoming HIV positive. Doug Hitzel, a 21-year-old gay man interviewed for the film by Hogarth in San Francisco, is now infected with HIV. After only nine months on medications, he had to switch to a new anti-retroviral therapy regimen. Hitzel, who is also currently profiled in a more inflammatory piece in Rolling Stone magazine, now regrets his decision to become infected. Hogarth's one-hour film, edited down from more than 80 hours of footage and more two-and-a half-years in the making, presents a more balanced, thoughtful portrait of the issue.
"This film is destined for controversy: certain gay men deliberately seeking to become HIV positive while the developing world is being devastated by AIDS," added Hogarth. "I'm grateful that Berlin and many of the other film festivals have the courage to exhibit this documentary."
"The Gift" has also been accepted for exhibition at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney, Australia; Queer Screen in Melbourne, Australia; and Out in Africa, where it will be shown in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, South Africa. It has also been submitted and is under consideration at several other film festivals.
* The other American documentary is Fight Back, Fight AIDS -- 15 Years of ACT UP by James Wentzy.
Source: Dream Out Loud Productions
Genomic Surveillance A New Frontier in Health Care Outbreak Detection
November 27th 2024According to new research, genomic surveillance is transforming health care-associated infection detection by identifying outbreaks earlier, enabling faster interventions, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs.
Point-of-Care Engagement in Long-Term Care Decreasing Infections
November 26th 2024Get Well’s digital patient engagement platform decreases hospital-acquired infection rates by 31%, improves patient education, and fosters involvement in personalized care plans through real-time interaction tools.
Comprehensive Strategies in Wound Care: Insights From Madhavi Ponnapalli, MD
November 22nd 2024Madhavi Ponnapalli, MD, discusses effective wound care strategies, including debridement techniques, offloading modalities, appropriate dressing selection, compression therapy, and nutritional needs for optimal healing outcomes.
The Leapfrog Group and the Positive Effect on Hospital Hand Hygiene
November 21st 2024The Leapfrog Group enhances hospital safety by publicizing hand hygiene performance, improving patient safety outcomes, and significantly reducing health care-associated infections through transparent standards and monitoring initiatives.
