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PIMA 7020G /FILM7032G : Artistic Process in Contemporary Community/Special Topics in Film History

Aids in the Barrio - Annotation on Cultural Representation

According to Fountain-Stokes, this film recieved some criticism from white audiences for not being explicit enough about educating its viewers on AIDS prevention, however, the Latino communities that watched this were very happy with it. Both the people in the video and the Puerto Rican community at large felt as though they were accurately and respectfully represented. The film's constant code-switching, from Spanish to English, was especially praised by Latino viewers.

For more information about the making of the film and its reception at the time, you can access "Queer Ricans: Cultures and Sexualities in the Diaspora" on google preview for free. View pages 97-100 HERE.

Contents of this annotation:

This video examines the impact of AIDS in the latin communities of Puerto Rico and other major American cities such as Philadelphia and New York City. Directed by Peter Beilla and Frances Negron-Muntaner, this documentary aims to properly educate viewers about safe sex and analyze the cultural attitudes within latinx communities about their conceptions of sexuality, masculinity, and AIDS. Citation: Biella, Peter, and Frances Negrón-Muntaner. 1985. AIDS in the barrio. New York: Cinema Guild.