Sunday, October 19, 2:30 PM
Cinema 21

1. bug chaser (n.) One who intentionally pursues an HIV infection.

2. gift giving (v.) The act of passing HIV to an uninfected person.

An explosive new documentary, THE GIFT, by Academy-Award winning director, Louise Hogarth is a timely investigation into a fascinating phenomenon – the eroticization of deliberate HIV infection. From the condom weary to the conscious desire for infection, disturbing new trends of risky behavior have pushed the rate of new infections back into rapid rise. Doug, a central character in the film, is a bright, articulate young man who moved from the Midwest to San Francisco in search of a gay community. He became a “bug chaser” – one who actively seeks infection – and is now dealing with the unexpected severity of his illness. The film features a wide range of gay men and experts who have differing opinions on the subject. We see a group of men struggling with illness from HIV medication who feel HIV/AIDS organizations have failed their community. There are others whose fatalistic outlook leads them to believe infection is not simply a possibility but an inevitability. In THE GIFT, Hogwarth honestly navigates the controversial subject without being preachy or judgmental.

Dir. Louise Hogarth
2002 USA 62 min Video English

Screening before THE GIFT will be the short film
Just Like You Imagined?

JUST LIKE YOU IMAGINED? deals with HIV, pregnancy, homosexuality, communication, self awareness, compassion and taking responsibility. Written by 18-year old Verena Faden, an aspiring Cuban-American high school filmmaker in Hialeah, FL. The film was directed by David Frankel ("Band of Brothers" and "Sex in the City") .

Dir. David Frankel
2003 USA 15 min Video English