Love - Stories in a Time of HIV/AIDS

The 10 films comprising the series are designed to tell stories that cross borders, entertain and move people, challenge deeply held beliefs, and get people to pause and think. According to organisers, each film carries a strong educational message and is rooted in in-depth research. The series is a culmination of a capacity-building programme that was initiated by Soul City Institute: Health and Development Communication, which involved 120 people (writers, producers, technical crew, and directors from 10 countries) being trained and mentored in the development and production of effective and entertaining drama.

The series, which is designed for youth and adults, was developed in different local languages with English sub-titles. The series is also being dubbed into Portuguese.

The 10 films are:

• "After the Honeymoon" - Malawi (Pakachere): In this romantic comedy, a newlywed couple returns from their honeymoon, which was not a success. Tinyade wants to talk about it, but it makes her husband, Limbikani, very uncomfortable. So he talks to his old friend Kenson instead, who gives him really bad advice on how to prove he is a real man again.
• "Against the Odds" - Namibia (Desert Soul): Set in Windhoek's Khomasdal township, this story revolves around Granny Mouton, who survives by barbequing meat on the streets. It is a dream come true when the owner of a successful car wash offers her a place to cook for his customers. But things take a nasty turn when it appears that his real motive is to pursue her beautiful and innocent granddaughter, Jenny.
• "Big House, Small House" - Zimbabwe (Action): When Shingi's husband Simba tells her he is taking a second wife, she is devastated. Simba tells her it is tradition and that he still loves her. However, Shingi won't accept his explanation and decides to find out the truth about his new bride.
• "Chaguo - The Choice" - Tanzania (Femina HIP): Amani and Faraja are in love, and they have just moved in together. One night, Amani stays out all night drinking in a bar with his friends and ends up having unprotected sex. The story follows Amani's struggle to deal with the consequences as he considers his relationship and the safety of Faraja.
• "Traídos Pela Traição - Betrayed" - Mozambique (N'weti Comunicação para Saúde): Andre and Teyasse are in love but both have secrets. One day they decide to break with tradition and start afresh by being honest with each other. But, as the truth unravels, they find out that it is not so easy to come clean.
• "Umtshato - The Wedding" - South Africa (Soul City): Set in a village in the Eastern Cape, this film tells the story of Nomandla, who is in the final stages of her traditional Xhosa wedding to Makhosi. Nomandla has loved Makhosi for many years. On her special day, she discovers a terrible truth, which her mother is determined to hide.
• "Monna oa Motsamai - The Travelling Man" - Lesotho (Phela Health and Development Communications): Motsami Raliselo leads a double life. He often leaves his wife and children to travel for work to Lesotho, where he also has another sexual partner. The film deals with Motsami Raliselo's reaction when he finds out that he is HIV-positive.
• "When The Music Stops" - Zambia (Kwatu): On the surface, Jeremiah and Monalisa are a happily married couple. He is a deacon in the church, and she sings in the church choir. But underneath it all, they are trapped in an unhappy marriage. Monalisa longs for love and affection and is about to risk everything to have it. When her teenage daughter discovers the truth, Monalisa is forced to make a choice.
• "Second Chances" - Botswana (Choose Life): Lerato, a young girl from an economically poor community in Botswana, leaves home to go to university in Gaborone. She is bright and full of hope and the first girl from her village to make it to university. Lerato will do whatever it takes to fit in and be admired and gets involved with an older man who has money and resources. She then falls in love with Monamodi, a young and passionate artist, and finds out that past actions cannot easily be undone.
• "Bloodlines" - Swaziland (Lusweti): Forty-year-old business man Qhawe Hlanze has always taken care of his beloved wife and family. However, he believes that what he does outside his marriage is not only his business but his right. One fateful day, his son is seriously injured in an accident, and he needs to face the consequences of his infidelity.

The films began being broadcast on national television in all 10 countries across the region in March 2010.

Click here to watch clips of the films.

HIV/AIDS

According to the organisers, "Love - Stories in a time of HIV & AIDS" builds on the success of the "Untold" television series, which - according to research - was well received and had impact. The "Untold" series also earned international recognition and was shown at film festivals in both Europe and the United States.