Film Lens
Miss HIV is a feature-length documentary directed by Jim Hanon, released in 2007. The film follows two HIV-positive women, Elizabeth Romolale and Gaelebale Thabang, as they participate in a pageant in Botswana, a country where half of all pregnant women are HIV positive. The film contrasts the current HIV situation in Botswana with the past successes of Uganda, which has seen significant reductions in HIV infections through the ABC program (Abstinence, Be faithful, Use a condom).
The documentary also addresses broader issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, including sexual behavior, moral judgment, and women's rights. Hanon attended the International AIDS Conference in Toronto to gather insights and perspectives from various experts, including Bill and Melinda Gates and former President Bill Clinton. The film aims to provoke thought about the complexities of HIV/AIDS policies and the societal factors that contribute to the ongoing crisis.
Why Watch
- •Meet HIV-positive contestants in Botswana's Miss HIV pageant.
- •See Bill and Melinda Gates at the International AIDS Conference.
- •Find out about the Uganda ABC program's impact on HIV rates.
Did You Know
•Half of all pregnant women in Botswana are HIV positive.
•The Uganda ABC program led to one of the largest reductions in HIV infections ever recorded.
•Miss HIV was filmed across sub-Saharan Africa and at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto.
•The film won the Redemptive Storyteller Award at the 2007 Redemptive Film Festival.
Perfect For
HIV/AIDS awarenessPageant culturePublic health policy