Last month, HBO unveiled “The Normal Heart,” a dramatic account of the first wave of the AIDS crisis as it swept through New York City, but three decades on, having HIV is no longer an immediate death sentence. That said, it does come with a different set of health, moral, ethical and emotional dilemmas, and those are explored in the documentary “25 To Life.”
Directed by Mike Brown, the film tells the story of William Brawner, infected by as a child due to a blood transfusion, but told by his mother to keep his illness a secret. And he did, right into adulthood, going so far as to hide his status from sexual partners, friends and more. But when William decides to face HIV head on and inform his former girlfriends, partners and more about his status, he has to face the decisions he’s made directly. Meanwhile, William also learns about what it means to live openly with HIV.
“25 To Life” will premiere at the American Black Film Festival on June 22nd. Watch below.