by James Olsen for FILMbutton

Together

Director: Zhao Liang

Cast: Gu Changwei

While filming Till Death Do Us Part, director Gu Changwei decided that he was going to include people with HIV/AIDS among his cast and crew in an effort to show to the general Chinese population that there is nothing to fear from knowing, working with, and befriending someone with HIV/AIDS. In many areas of China, much is still unknown about HIV/AIDS as the topic is still very much taboo and being infected is something to be kept hidden.

Chatting on forums, people were recruited to work on the film, or, at the very least, to tell their stories. Among those chosen for the film is Hu Zetao, 12-year-old boy is chosen to be the lead for the film, and we see many aspects of his life at home, where he must not only use separate dishes from the rest of his family, but also wash them separately. We see the initial fears of the crew members when they find out that some among them are HIV/AIDS victims, with some unwilling to even shake hands for fear of infection. We are also introduced to Rose, who works at a hospital/school specifically for kids living with HIV/AIDS.

Full of heartbreaking truths about the stigma society has towards people living with HIV/AIDS, Together also shows signs of hope as we see people come around to realize that they don’t have to be afraid of knowing someone with HIV/AIDS. Perhaps one of the saddest parts of all is that of the six people with HIV/AIDS involved with the production, three still felt like they had to keep their identities secret for fear of fallout in their everyday lives. Documentaries and filmmakers like those involved here can provide a start to changing attitudes, but there is still clearly a long way to go yet.

James Olsen is an avid photographer who loves film, TV, music and just about anything in the arts. He hails from out East but calls Toronto his home.