Watch: Two Short Films on Living With HIV and AIDS In Idaho

Chances are you know someone who has been either infected or affected by the HIV virus, maybe it’s a friend, an aunt an  uncle or a parent. The CDC estimates 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection. One in five (20%) of those people are unaware of their infection.

If you’ve ever wondered what life is like for them take a few minutes to watch the following films. Educate yourself and your friends. Knowledge is power and in this case it just might save your life.

The first film, “I’m just Me, Just like You”, tells the story of living with HIV through throught the eyes of a.l.p.h.a.’s founder and director Duane Quintana.  As you’ll see, Quintana began life much like any other teenager. At the age of 18, he packed up and left Wendell, Idaho for the big city. At age 19, Duane was infected with HIV….

The second film, HIV: ID was produced last year by filmmaker Jason Wilder Evans as part of a bigger project documenting what it’s like to live with HIV and AIDS in America. According to the project’s website, “HIV: USA  – is a collaborative effort of several HIV+ people who gave their permission to share a very intimate part of their life. By ignoring stigma, HIV:USA sheds light on the reality of living with the virus that causes AIDS.  It gives hope and inspires others to come together in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to know one’s own status and to understand that if you are HIV positive – You are not alone…”

Watch the trailer here:

You can watch the full HIV: ID  film online at snagfilms.com by clicking HERE. It will also be shown at various locations as part of World AIDS Day events happening throughout the state.  You can find an event happening near you  by clicking HERE.